Surgical end effectors with firing element monitoring arrangements

ABSTRACT

A surgical end effector including an elongate channel configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein and a firing element configured to move within the elongate channel between a starting and an ending position. Various arrangements include openings through the bottom of the elongate channel to permit viewing of the firing element as it moves between the starting and ending positions. An anvil may be supported for movable travel relative to the elongate channel and include a plurality of openings therethrough to permit viewing of the cutting element as it moves between the starting and ending positions. Various arrangements include a firing bar attached to the firing element that serves to move the firing element between the starting and ending position. The firing bar may be movably supported with a hollow shaft that has a plurality of openings therethrough for monitoring the position of the firing bar.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/980,293, entitled FASTENING INSTRUMENTS AND FASTENING CARTRIDGES FORUSE THEREWITH, filed Apr. 16, 2014, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to stapling instruments and, in variousembodiments, to a surgical stapling instrument for producing one or morerows of staples.

A stapling instrument can include a pair of cooperating elongate jawmembers, wherein each jaw member can be adapted to be inserted into apatient and positioned relative to tissue that is to be stapled and/orincised. In various embodiments, one of the jaw members can support astaple cartridge with at least two laterally spaced rows of staplescontained therein, and the other jaw member can support an anvil withstaple-forming pockets aligned with the rows of staples in the staplecartridge. Generally, the stapling instrument can further include apusher bar and a knife blade which are slidable relative to the jawmembers to sequentially eject the staples from the staple cartridge viacamming surfaces on the pusher bar and/or camming surfaces on a wedgesled that is pushed by the pusher bar. In at least one embodiment, thecamming surfaces can be configured to activate a plurality of stapledrivers carried by the cartridge and associated with the staples inorder to push the staples against the anvil and form laterally spacedrows of deformed staples in the tissue gripped between the jaw members.In at least one embodiment, the knife blade can trail the cammingsurfaces and cut the tissue along a line between the staple rows.Examples of such stapling instruments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,794,475, entitled SURGICAL STAPLES HAVING COMPRESSIBLE OR CRUSHABLEMEMBERS FOR SECURING TISSUE THEREIN AND STAPLING INSTRUMENTS FORDEPLOYING THE SAME, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate various aspectsof the related art in the field of the invention at the time, and shouldnot be taken as a disavowal of claim scope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features of the embodiments described herein are set forth withparticularity in the appended claims. The various embodiments, however,both as to organization and methods of operation, together withadvantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings asfollows:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a surgical stapling instrument;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an end effector of the surgicalstapling instrument of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the end effector of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1illustrating staples contained therein in an unfired configuration;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the staples of FIG. 4 in a firedconfiguration;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the end effector of FIG. 1 being usedto staple and transect tissue;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance with atleast one embodiment comprising a plurality of ridges extending from acartridge body;

FIG. 8 is a detail view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a detail view illustrating staples positioned within staplecavities defined in the staple cartridge of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one alternative embodiment comprising aplurality of transverse ridges extending from a cartridge body;

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one alternative embodiment comprising aplurality of transverse ridges extending from a cartridge body;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one alternative embodiment comprising aplurality of ridges surrounding the proximal and distal ends of staplecavity openings defined in a cartridge body;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one alternative embodiment comprising aplurality of ridges surrounding the proximal and distal ends of staplecavity openings defined in a cartridge body;

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one alternative embodiment comprising aplurality of knurled ridges extending from a cartridge body;

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one alternative embodiment comprising aplurality of knurled ridges extending from a cartridge body;

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a pyramidal knurl in accordance withat least one embodiment;

FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a frustoconical knurl in accordancewith at least one embodiment;

FIG. 15C is a perspective view of a triangular knurl in accordance withat least one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one alternative embodiment comprising aplurality of ridges entirely surrounding staple cavity openings definedin a cartridge body;

FIG. 16A is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one alternative embodiment comprising aplurality of ridges entirely surrounding staple cavity openings definedin a cartridge body;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance withat least one alternative embodiment comprising a plurality oflongitudinal ridges extending from a cartridge body;

FIG. 18 is a detail view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument that has aninterchangeable shaft assembly operably coupled thereto;

FIG. 20 is an exploded assembly view of the interchangeable shaftassembly and surgical instrument of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an exploded assembly view of a portion of the surgicalinstrument of FIGS. 19 and 20;

FIG. 22 is another exploded assembly view showing portions of theinterchangeable shaft assembly and surgical instrument of FIGS. 19-21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge positioned in an endeffector of a surgical instrument in accordance with at least oneembodiment, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a plurality of ridgesextending from a cartridge body of the staple cartridge;

FIG. 24 is an elevational view of a staple in accordance with at leastone embodiment;

FIG. 25 is an elevational view of the staple of FIG. 24 positionedwithin a staple cavity in a staple cartridge;

FIG. 26 is an elevational view of a staple in accordance with at leastone embodiment;

FIG. 27 is an elevational view of an asymmetrical staple in accordancewith at least one embodiment;

FIG. 28 is an elevational view of another asymmetrical staple inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 29 is an elevational view of another asymmetrical staple inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 30 is an elevational view of a staple illustrated in a partiallydeformed condition;

FIG. 31 is an elevational view of the staple of FIG. 30 in a fullydeformed condition;

FIG. 32 is a bottom perspective view of an elongate channel;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another elongatechannel;

FIG. 34 is another cross-sectional view of the elongate channel of FIG.33 with a cutting head diagrammatically shown therein;

FIG. 35 is a bottom view of the elongate channel of FIGS. 33 and 34;

FIG. 36 is a bottom view of another elongate channel;

FIG. 37 is a bottom view of another elongate channel;

FIG. 38 is a bottom view of another elongate channel;

FIG. 39 is a bottom view of another elongate channel;

FIG. 40 is a partial side view of an elongate channel and cutting headwith the elongate channel shown in cross-section and portions of thesurgical staple cartridge omitted for clarity and with the cutting headin an unlocked position and ready for firing;

FIG. 41 is another partial side view of the elongate channel and cuttinghead of FIG. 40 with the cutting head biased in a locked position;

FIG. 42 is perspective view of a cutting head and firing bar embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of another end effector and shaftarrangement;

FIG. 44 is another perspective view of the end effector and shaftarrangement of FIG. 43 with a portion of the outer shaft omitted forclarity;

FIG. 45 is a partial side view of another end effector and shaftarrangement;

FIG. 46 is a partial side elevational view of an end effectorarrangement with the elongate channel omitted for clarity;

FIG. 47 is a top view of an anvil embodiment;

FIG. 48 is a top view of another anvil embodiment;

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view of an end effector of a surgicalinstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment comprising astaple cartridge including a stepped cartridge deck;

FIG. 49A is the same cross-sectional view depicted in FIG. 49illustrating various gap heights between the stepped cartridge deck andan anvil positioned opposite thereto;

FIG. 50 is an elevational view of an asymmetrical staple in accordancewith at least one embodiment;

FIG. 51 is an elevational view of another asymmetrical staple inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 52 is an elevational view of another asymmetrical staple inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of a staple sled in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 54 is a top view of the staple sled of FIG. 53;

FIG. 54A is a partial top view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 23illustrating the staple sled of FIG. 53 in a proximal, unfired position;

FIG. 54B is a partial, cross-sectional perspective view of the staplecartridge of FIG. 23;

FIG. 54C is partial rear perspective view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 23;

FIG. 54D is a perspective view of the staple sled of FIG. 53;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of a distal end of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 23;

FIG. 55A is a perspective view of a projection extending from the staplecartridge of FIG. 23;

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance withat least one embodiment including a pattern of ridges extending from adeck of the staple cartridge;

FIG. 57 is a detail view of the pattern of ridges and the deck of thestaple cartridge of FIG. 56;

FIG. 58 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment including a pattern of ridgesextending from a deck of the staple cartridge;

FIG. 59 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment including a pattern ofprojections defined in a deck of the staple cartridge;

FIG. 60 is a detail view of a projection illustrated in FIG. 59;

FIG. 61 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment including a pattern of domesextending from a deck of a staple cartridge;

FIG. 62 is a detail view of a dome illustrated in FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 is a partial perspective view of projections extending from adeck of a staple cartridge in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 64 is an exploded perspective view of a surgical staple cartridgeand a cartridge cover;

FIG. 65 is a cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge and cartridgecover of FIG. 64 with the cartridge cover installed on the staplecartridge;

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of an anvil of a surgical staplinginstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment includingprojections extending therefrom;

FIG. 67 is a detail view of the projections illustrated in FIG. 66;

FIG. 68 is a partial perspective view of an anvil of a surgical staplinginstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment includingprojections extending therefrom;

FIG. 69 is a cross-sectional view of an anvil of a surgical staplinginstrument in accordance with at least one embodiment including a firstarray of projections having a first height adjacent a first row ofstaple pockets, a second array of projections having a second heightadjacent a second row of staple pockets, and a third array ofprojections having a third height adjacent a third row of staplepockets;

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance withat least one embodiment including projections extending from a steppeddeck surface of the staple cartridge;

FIG. 71 is a detail view of a distal end of the stepped deck surface andthe projections of FIG. 70;

FIG. 72 is a detail view of a proximal end of the stepped deck surfaceand the projections of FIG. 70;

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance withat least one embodiment including projections extending from a steppeddeck surface of the staple cartridge;

FIG. 74 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 75 is a cross-sectional view of an end effector of a surgicalstapling instrument in accordance with at least one embodimentcomprising a plurality of deployable tissue engaging members;

FIG. 76 is a cross-sectional view of an end effector of a surgicalstapling instrument in accordance with at least one embodimentcomprising a plurality of projections extending from a stepped cartridgedeck surface;

FIG. 77 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge deck of a staplecartridge and a projection extending from the deck configured to supporta staple as the staple is deployed from a staple cavity in accordancewith at least one embodiment;

FIG. 78 is a cross-sectional view of another cartridge deck of a staplecartridge and a projection extending from the deck configured to supporta staple as the staple is deployed from a staple cavity in accordancewith at least one embodiment;

FIG. 79 is a partial plan view of a deck of a staple cartridge includingprojections extending from the deck configured to support a stapleremovably stored in a staple cavity defined in the staple cartridge inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 80 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridgeincluding a first projection configured to support a first leg of astaple removably positioned within a staple cavity and a secondprojection configured to support a second leg of the staple inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of a distal end of a staple cartridgeincluding a deck, a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck,and an assortment of projections extending from the deck in accordancewith at least one embodiment;

FIG. 82 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge including adeck, a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck, and aplurality of projections extending from the deck which surround the endsof some of the staple cavities, but not others, in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 83 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge including adeck, a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck, and aplurality of projections extending from the deck which surround certainends of the staple cavities, but not others, in accordance with at leastone embodiment;

FIG. 84 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridgeincluding a deck and a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck,an array of staples positioned in the staple cavities extending betweena proximal end and a distal end of the staple cartridge wherein thearray of staples comprises an assortment of staples, and an array ofprojections extending from the deck extending between the proximal endand the distal end of the staple cartridge wherein the array ofprojections comprises an assortment of heights in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 85A is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge deckand a projection extending from the deck wherein the projection iscomprised of a compliant material and is illustrated in an uncompressedstate in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 85B is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge deckand projection of FIG. 85A illustrating the projection in apartially-compressed state;

FIG. 85C is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge deckand projection of FIG. 85A illustrating the projection in a compressedstate;

FIG. 86A is partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge includinga cartridge body comprised of a flexible material in accordance with atleast one embodiment illustrated in an unflexed condition;

FIG. 86B is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 86A illustrated in a flexed condition;

FIG. 87 is a perspective view of an anvil including a plurality ofprojections extending from the anvil in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 88 is a detail view of a portion of the anvil of FIG. 87;

FIG. 89 is a partial perspective view of an anvil including a pluralityof projections extending from the anvil in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 90 is a perspective view of an assembly including a staple driverand movable pocket extenders in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 91 is an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 90;

FIG. 92 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a staple cartridgeutilizing the assembly of FIG. 90 illustrated in an undeployedcondition;

FIG. 93 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 92 illustrating an assembly of FIG. 90 in a deployed condition andan assembly of FIG. 90 in an undeployed condition;

FIG. 94 is a top view of a surgical staple driver;

FIG. 95 is a perspective view of the surgical staple driver of FIG. 94;

FIG. 96 is a perspective view of another surgical staple driver;

FIG. 97 is a top view of a staple driver pocket in a portion of asurgical staple cartridge;

FIG. 98 is an elevational view of an anvil in accordance with at leastone embodiment comprising projections having different heights extendingtherefrom;

FIG. 99 is a perspective view of a fastener cartridge in accordance withat least one embodiment;

FIG. 100 is a plan view of the fastener cartridge of FIG. 99;

FIG. 101 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end of the fastenercartridge of FIG. 99; and

FIG. 102 is a partial plan view of the proximal end of the fastenercartridge of FIG. 99.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application owns the following patentapplications that were filed on even date herewith and which are eachherein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGESINCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS, Attorney DocketNo. END7460USNP/140136;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING FASTENER CAVITIES INCLUDING FASTENER CONTROL FEATURES,Attorney Docket No. END7461USNP/140137;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled END EFFECTORCOMPRISING AN ANVIL INCLUDING PROJECTIONS EXTENDING THEREFROM, AttorneyDocket No. END7462USNP/140138;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled SURGICAL FASTENERCARTRIDGES WITH DRIVER STABILIZING ARRANGEMENTS, Attorney Docket No.END7463USNP/140139;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS, Attorney Docket No.END7465USNP/140141;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING DEPLOYABLE TISSUE ENGAGING MEMBERS, Attorney Docket No.END7466USNP/140142;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING TISSUE CONTROL FEATURES, Attorney Docket No.END7467USNP/140143;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGEASSEMBLIES AND STAPLE RETAINER COVER ARRANGEMENTS, Attorney Docket No.END7468USNP/140144; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGEINCLUDING A LAYER ATTACHED THERETO, Attorney Docket No.END7469USNP/140145.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 1, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,295, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,323, entitled ROTARY POWEREDARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,338, entitled THUMBWHEEL SWITCHARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,499, entitled ELECTROMECHANICALSURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,460, entitled MULTIPLE PROCESSORMOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,358, entitled JOYSTICK SWITCHASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,481, entitled SENSORSTRAIGHTENED END EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,518, entitled CONTROL METHODSFOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT PORTIONS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,375, entitled ROTARY POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,536, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT SOFT STOP.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,097, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,193, entitled CONTROLARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,053, entitled INTERCHANGEABLESHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,210, entitled SENSORARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,148, entitled MULTI-FUNCTIONMOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,066, entitled DRIVE SYSTEMLOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,117, entitled ARTICULATIONCONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,130, entitled DRIVE TRAINCONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,159, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEMFOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT.

Applicant of the present application also owns the following patentapplications that were filed on Mar. 26, 2014 and are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,106, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTCONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,099, entitled STERILIZATIONVERIFICATION CIRCUIT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,094, entitled VERIFICATION OFNUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES/PROCEDURE COUNT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,117, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTTHROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075, entitled MODULAR POWEREDSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,093, entitled FEEDBACKALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,116, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,071, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,097, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,126, entitled INTERFACE SYSTEMSFOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,133, entitled MODULAR SURGICALINSTRUMENT SYSTEM;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,081, entitled SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,076, entitled POWER MANAGEMENTTHROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,111, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT SYSTEM; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,125, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT.

The Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. patentapplications identified below which are each herein incorporated byreference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,311, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENTS WITH RECONFIGURABLE SHAFT SEGMENTS; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0080496;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,340, entitled SURGICAL STAPLECARTRIDGES SUPPORTING NON-LINEARLY ARRANGED STAPLES AND SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH COMMON STAPLE-FORMING POCKETS; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0080482;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,327, entitled JAW CLOSUREARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2012/0080499;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,351, entitled SURGICAL CUTTINGAND FASTENING INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FASTENER DEPLOYMENTAND TISSUE CUTTING SYSTEMS; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2012/0080502;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,338, entitled IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE HAVING A NON-UNIFORM ARRANGEMENT; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0080481;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,369, entitled IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SUPPORT RETAINER; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0080344;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,312, entitled IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING MULTIPLE LAYERS; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0080479;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,377, entitled SELECTIVELYORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,339, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT WITH COMPACT ARTICULATION CONTROL ARRANGEMENT; now U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012/0080500;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,360, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT WITH A VARIABLE STAPLE FORMING SYSTEM; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0080484;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,322, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT WITH INTERCHANGEABLE STAPLE CARTRIDGE ARRANGEMENTS; now U.S.Pat. No. 8,740,034;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,350, entitled SURGICAL STAPLECARTRIDGES WITH DETACHABLE SUPPORT STRUCTURES; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0080478;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,383, entitled IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING BIOABSORBABLE LAYERS; now U.S. Pat. No.8,752,699;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,389, entitled COMPRESSIBLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,740,037;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,345, entitled FASTENERSSUPPORTED BY A FASTENER CARTRIDGE SUPPORT; now U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2012/0080483;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,306, entitled COLLAPSIBLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0080332;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,318, entitled FASTENER SYSTEMCOMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CONNECTED RETENTION MATRIX ELEMENTS; now U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012/0080480;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,330, entitled FASTENER SYSTEMCOMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX AND AN ALIGNMENT MATRIX; now U.S. Pat. No.8,757,465;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,361, entitled FASTENER SYSTEMCOMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,529,600;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,367, entitled FASTENINGINSTRUMENT FOR DEPLOYING A FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTIONMATRIX; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0080485;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,388, entitled FASTENER SYSTEMCOMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX AND A COVER; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,677;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,376, entitled FASTENER SYSTEMCOMPRISING A PLURALITY OF FASTENER CARTRIDGES; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0080486;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,865, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERANVIL COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF FORMING POCKETS; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0080488;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,936, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR FOR A SURGICAL STAPLER; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,657,176;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,954, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A VARIABLE THICKNESS COMPRESSIBLE PORTION; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0080340;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,856, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING STAPLES POSITIONED WITHIN A COMPRESSIBLE PORTION THEREOF; nowU.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0080336;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,928, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING DETACHABLE PORTIONS; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,535;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,891, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR FOR A SURGICAL STAPLER COMPRISING AN ADJUSTABLE ANVIL; nowU.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0080489;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,948, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING AN ADJUSTABLE DISTAL PORTION; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2012/0083836;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,907, entitled COMPRESSIBLESTAPLE CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0080338;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,861, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING PORTIONS HAVING DIFFERENT PROPERTIES; now U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012/0080337;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,869, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGELOADING ASSEMBLY; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0160721;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,917, entitled COMPRESSIBLESTAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING ALIGNMENT MEMBERS; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0083834;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,873, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A RELEASABLE PORTION; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,740,038;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,938, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING COMPRESSIBLE DISTORTION RESISTANT COMPONENTS; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0080491;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,924, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2012/0083835;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/242,029, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERWITH FLOATING ANVIL; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0080493;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/242,066, entitled CURVED ENDEFFECTOR FOR A STAPLING INSTRUMENT; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2012/0080498;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/242,086, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGEINCLUDING COLLAPSIBLE DECK; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0075450;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/241,912, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGEINCLUDING COLLAPSIBLE DECK ARRANGEMENT; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0075448;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/241,922, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERWITH STATIONARY STAPLE DRIVERS; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0075449;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/241,637, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH TRIGGER ASSEMBLY FOR GENERATING MULTIPLE ACTUATIONMOTIONS; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0074201;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/241,629, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT WITH SELECTIVELY ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0074200;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,096, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CAPSULES; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0241496;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,103, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF LAYERS; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0241498;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,098, entitled EXPANDABLE TISSUETHICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0241491;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,102, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING A RESERVOIR; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2012/0241497;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,114, entitled RETAINER ASSEMBLYINCLUDING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2012/0241499;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,136, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE MEDICAMENT; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0241492;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,141, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING CONTROLLED RELEASE AND EXPANSION; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0241493;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,144, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING FIBERS TO PRODUCE A RESILIENT LOAD; now U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012/0241500;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,148, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING STRUCTURE TO PRODUCE A RESILIENT LOAD; now U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012/0241501;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,155, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING RESILIENT MEMBERS; now U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2012/0241502;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,163, entitled METHODS FOR FORMINGTISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS; nowU.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0248169;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,167, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATORS; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0241503;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,175, entitled LAYERED TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0253298;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,179, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATORS FOR CIRCULAR SURGICAL STAPLERS; now U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2012/0241505;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,028, entitled ADHESIVE FILM LAMINATE;now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0146643;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,115, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING CAPSULES DEFINING A LOW PRESSURE ENVIRONMENT; nowU.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0256372;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,118, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISED OF A PLURALITY OF MATERIALS; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2013/0256365;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,135, entitled MOVABLE MEMBER FOR USEWITH A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0256382;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,140, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME; now U.S. Patent PublicationNo. 2013/0256368;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,129, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF MEDICAMENTS; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2013/0256367;

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/216,562, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FORFORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,669,746;

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/714,049, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICEWITH ANVIL HAVING STAPLE FORMING POCKETS OF VARYING DEPTHS, now U.S.Patent Publication No. 2007/0194082;

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/711,979, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICESTHAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT LENGTHS, now U.S. Pat. No.8,317,070;

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/711,975, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICEWITH STAPLE DRIVERS OF DIFFERENT HEIGHT, now U.S. Patent Publication No.2007/0194079;

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/711,977, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICEWITH STAPLE DRIVER THAT SUPPORTS MULTIPLE WIRE DIAMETER STAPLES, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,673,781;

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/712,315, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICEWITH MULTIPLE STACKED ACTUATOR WEDGE CAMS FOR DRIVING STAPLE DRIVERS,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,500,979;

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/038,939, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FORFORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,934,630;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/020,263, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMSTHAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT LENGTHS, now U.S. Pat. No.8,636,187;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/118,278, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLEDSURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES THAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENTLENGTHS, now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0290851;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/369,629, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLEDCABLE-BASED SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, now U.S. Patent Publication No.2012/0138660;

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/695,359, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICESFOR FORMING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT FORMED HEIGHTS, now U.S. Pat. No.8,464,923;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/072,923, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FORFORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,567,656;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/766,325, entitled LAYER OF MATERIAL FOR ASURGICAL END EFFECTOR; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0256380;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,078, entitled ANVIL LAYER ATTACHED TO APROXIMAL END OF AN END EFFECTOR; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0256383;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,094, entitled LAYER COMPRISINGDEPLOYABLE ATTACHMENT MEMBERS; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0256377;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,106, entitled END EFFECTOR COMPRISING ADISTAL TISSUE ABUTMENT MEMBER; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0256378;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,147, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING CHANNELS; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0256369;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,112, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGCARTRIDGE WITH LAYER RETENTION FEATURES; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0256379;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,035, entitled ACTUATOR FOR RELEASING ATISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR FROM A FASTENER CARTRIDGE; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2013/0214030;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,042, entitled RELEASABLE TISSUETHICKNESS COMPENSATOR AND FASTENER CARTRIDGE HAVING THE SAME; now U.S.Patent Publication No. 2013/0221063;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,048, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A RELEASABLE TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2013/0221064;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,054, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER FOR RELEASING A TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0097227;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,065, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A RELEASABLY ATTACHED TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR; now U.S.Patent Publication No. 2013/0221065;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,021, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A RELEASABLE COVER;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,078, entitled ANVIL LAYER ATTACHED TO APROXIMAL END OF AN END EFFECTOR; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0256383;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,095, entitled LAYER ARRANGEMENTS FORSURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0161374;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/463,147, entitled IMPLANTABLE ARRANGEMENTSFOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES; now U.S. Patent Publication No.2013/0292398;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,192, entitled MULTIPLE THICKNESSIMPLANTABLE LAYERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2013/0146642;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,161, entitled RELEASABLE LAYER OFMATERIAL AND SURGICAL END EFFECTOR HAVING THE SAME; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2013/0153641;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,177, entitled ACTUATOR FOR RELEASING ALAYER OF MATERIAL FROM A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2013/0146641;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/763,037, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A COMPRESSIBLE PORTION;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,126, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING TISSUE INGROWTH FEATURES; now U.S. PatentPublication No. 2013/0256366;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/433,132, entitled DEVICES AND METHODS FORATTACHING TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATING MATERIALS TO SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0256373.

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/851,703, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR INCLUDING OPENINGS THEREIN;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/851,676, entitled TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER PATH;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/851,693, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGEASSEMBLIES;

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/851,684, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGECOMPRISING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR AND A GAP SETTING ELEMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/187,387, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGEINCLUDING A BARBED STAPLE; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0166724;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/187,395, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGEINCLUDING A BARBED STAPLE; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0166725;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/187,400, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGEINCLUDING A BARBED STAPLE; now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0166726;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/187,383, entitled IMPLANTABLE LAYERSAND METHODS FOR ALTERING IMPLANTABLE LAYERS FOR USE WITH SURGICALFASTENING INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/187,386, entitled IMPLANTABLE LAYERSAND METHODS FOR ALTERING ONE OR MORE PROPERTIES OF IMPLANTABLE LAYERSFOR USE WITH FASTENING INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/187,390, entitled IMPLANTABLE LAYERSAND METHODS FOR MODIFYING THE SHAPE OF THE IMPLANTABLE LAYERS FOR USEWITH A SURGICAL FASTENING INSTRUMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/187,389, entitled IMPLANTABLE LAYERASSEMBLIES;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/187,385, entitled IMPLANTABLE LAYERSCOMPRISING A PRESSED REGION; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/187,384, entitled FASTENING SYSTEMCOMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT.

Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and useof the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in theart, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without suchspecific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components,and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure theembodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill inthe art will understand that the embodiments described and illustratedherein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated thatthe specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may berepresentative and illustrative. Variations and changes thereto may bemade without departing from the scope of the claims.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “someembodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in someembodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment”, or the like,in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics illustrated or described in connection with oneembodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the featuresstructures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments withoutlimitation. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for conciseness andclarity, spatial terms such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “up,” and“down”, for example, may be used herein with respect to the illustratedembodiments. However, these terms are used to assist the reader and arenot intended to be limiting and absolute.

Turning to FIG. 1, a surgical stapling and severing instrument 10 caninclude a handle portion 12 that can be manipulated in order to positionan implement portion 14 in a surgical site. In various embodiments, theimplement portion 14 can include an end effector 16 attached to anelongate shaft 18. In various circumstances, the implement portion 14can be sized and configured to be inserted through a cannula of a trocar(not shown) into the surgical site in order to perform an endoscopic orlaparoscopic surgical procedure, for example. The end effector 16 cancomprise an upper jaw, or anvil, 20 and a lower jaw 22, wherein theanvil 20 can be moved between an open position and a closed positionwhen the closure trigger 24 of the handle portion 12 is moved, ordepressed, toward a pistol grip 26 of the handle portion 12. In variousembodiments, the depression of the closure trigger 24 can advance anouter closing sleeve 28 of the elongate shaft 18 wherein the outerclosing sleeve 28 can contact the anvil 20 and pivot the anvil 20 intoits closed position. In certain circumstances, the surgeon may rotatethe implement portion 14 about its longitudinal axis by twisting a shaftrotation knob 30. In any event, once the end effector 16 has beeninserted into an insufflated body cavity, for example, the closuretrigger 24 may be released thereby allowing the anvil 20 to be biasedopen by a spring (not shown) and positioned relative to the targetedtissue. In various embodiments, the closure trigger 24 can be locked inits depressed condition and, in at least one embodiment, the handleportion 12 can further comprise a lock release actuator 44 which can bedepressed to unlock the closure trigger 24. Once the anvil 20 and thelower jaw 22 have been suitably positioned relative to the tissue in thesurgical site, the closure trigger 24 can be depressed once again inorder to close the anvil 20 and compress the tissue against a staplecartridge 42 attached to the bottom jaw 22.

Once the anvil 20 has been closed, a firing trigger 32 can be drawn, ordepressed, toward the closure trigger 24 and the pistol grip 26 in orderto apply a firing force or motion to a firing member and advance thefiring member from an unfired position. In various embodiments, thefiring member can comprise a proximal firing rod 34 which is attached toa distal firing bar 36. In at least one such embodiment, the firing rod34 and/or the firing bar 36 can be supported within a frame 38 in shaft18 which can extend between the handle portion 12 and the end effector16. As a result of the firing motion applied to the firing member, thefiring bar 36 can be advanced distally within a elongate staplecartridge channel 40 of the lower jaw 22 and a staple cartridge 42positioned within the cartridge channel 40. In various embodiments,referring to FIG. 2, the firing bar 36 can comprise an attachmentportion 48 that is attached to an E-beam 50 which can translate withinthe end effector 16. The E-beam 50 can comprise a vertical portion 52which can pass through a narrow longitudinal anvil slot 58 extendingthrough a tissue-contacting surface 60 in the anvil 20, a narrowvertical slot 62 in the staple cartridge 42, and a narrow longitudinalchannel slot 64 in the elongate staple channel 40 when the E-beam 50 isadvanced distally. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the anvil slot 58 canextend upwardly into the anvil 20 and can comprise an end which opensinto a laterally-widened longitudinal channel 66 sized and configured toreceive an upper pin 54 that extends laterally from the vertical portion52. Similarly, the channel slot 64 can extend downwardly into thechannel 40 and can comprise an end which opens into a laterally-widenedlongitudinal channel 68 sized and configured to receive one or morelower feet 70 extending laterally from the vertical portion 52.

In various embodiments, further to the above, the E-beam 50 can furthercomprise one or more middle pins 72 which can extend laterally from thevertical portion 52 and can be configured to slide along a top surfaceof a bottom tray 74 of the staple cartridge 42. In certain embodiments,the middle pins 72 can be configured to seat the staple cartridge 42, orassure that the staple cartridge 42 remains seated, in the channel 40. Alongitudinal firing recess 75 formed in the staple cartridge 42 abovethe bottom tray 74 is sized to allow the middle pins 72 to translatethrough the staple cartridge 42. In various embodiments, the E-beam 50can further comprise a distal drive surface 76 which can be configuredto translate through the vertical slot 62 in the staple cartridge 42 anddrive a wedge sled 78 distally through the staple cartridge 42. Incertain embodiments, the wedge sled 78 can be integrally-formed withinthe E-beam 50 while, in other embodiments, the wedge sled 78 can residein the staple cartridge 42 and can be contacted by the drive surface 76as the E-beam 50 is advanced distally. The vertical portion 52 of theE-beam 50 can further comprise a cutting surface 80 which extends alonga distal edge above the distal drive surface 76 and below the upper pin54 that severs the clamped tissue 46 as the tissue 46 is being stapled.Referring now to FIG. 4, the wedge sled 78 can be configured to engageone or more staple drivers 82 and drive the staple drivers 82 upwardlytoward the anvil 20. In various embodiments, staples, such as staples83, for example, can be seated on and/or otherwise supported by thestaple drivers 82 such that, as the staple drivers 82 are liftedupwardly, the staples 83 can be lifted upwardly as well. In at least onesuch embodiment, the staples 83 can also be at least partiallypositioned within staple cavities, or pockets, 84 in a staple cartridgebody 85 of the staple cartridge 42 wherein, as the staples 83 are liftedupwardly, the staples 83 can contact the anvil 20 and can be ejectedfrom the staple cavities 84. In at least one embodiment, referring againto FIG. 4, the bottom tray 74 can be attached to the cartridge body 85in order to retain the staple drivers 82 and the staples 83 within thestaple cartridge 42 until the staples 83 are deployed therefrom asdescribed above.

In use, referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the anvil 20 can be positionedon one side of the tissue 46 and the bottom jaw 22 can be positioned onthe opposite side of the tissue 46 such that, when the anvil 20 isclosed onto the tissue, the tissue-contacting surface 60 of the anvil 20and the tissue-contacting deck 90 of the staple cartridge 42 cancompress the tissue 46 between an uncompressed thickness 91 and acompressed thickness 92. In order to staple and transect the tissue 46,as described above, the wedge sled 78 can be advanced distally withinthe staple cartridge 42 in order to lift the staple drivers 82 towardthe anvil 20 and deform the staples 83. In various embodiments, eachstaple driver 82 can comprise one or more slots defined therein whichcan be configured to receive and releasably hold the bases 87 of thestaples 83 in position. In at least one such embodiment, each staple 83can comprise one or more staple legs 88 extending from the base 87,wherein the staple legs 88 can extend upwardly into the staple cavities84. In various embodiments, the tips of the staple legs 88 can berecessed with respect to the deck, or tissue-contacting surface, 90 ofthe cartridge body 85 when the staples 83 are in their unfired position.As the staples 83 are being lifted upwardly by the drivers 82, the tipsof the staple legs 88 can emerge from the staple cavities 84, penetratethe tissue 46, and contact the anvil forming pockets 89 positionedopposite the staple cavities 84. The anvil forming pockets 89 can beconfigured to deform the staples 83 into any suitable shape, such as theB-form shape depicted in FIG. 5, for example. As the staples 83 aredeployed, referring now to FIG. 6, the cutting edge 80 can transect thetissue 46 into stapled portions 94.

As described above, the jaw members of an end effector can be configuredto apply a compressive pressure, or force, to the tissue being stapled.In various circumstances, however, the tissue can be slippery, forexample, and at least a portion of the tissue can slide relative to thejaw members. In certain circumstances, the tissue can slide out of thedistal end of the end effector in a longitudinal direction and/or slideout of the sides of the end effector in a direction which is transverseto the longitudinal direction. In some circumstances, portions of thetissue can milk out of the distal end of the end effector and/or thesides of the end effector when the tissue is compressed. In variousembodiments disclosed herein, a staple cartridge can comprise one ormore tissue retention features which can be configured to prevent, or atleast reduce the possibility of, tissue positioned within the endeffector from moving relative to the end effector.

In various embodiments, referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a staplecartridge, such as staple cartridge 142, for example, can comprise acartridge body 185 and a plurality of staples, such as staples 187 (FIG.9), for example, positioned within the cartridge body 185. The cartridgebody 185 can comprise a proximal end 141 and a distal end 143, whereinthe proximal end 141 can be configured to be inserted into a proximalend of a staple cartridge channel and the distal end 143 can beconfigured to be inserted into a distal end of the staple cartridgechannel. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge body 185 can comprisea plurality of staple cavities 184 which can each be configured toreceive a staple 187 therein. In certain alternative embodiments,although not illustrated, a staple cavity can comprise more than onestaple positioned therein. In any event, the staple cavities 184 can bearranged in a plurality of rows within the cartridge body 185. Moreparticularly, in at least one embodiment, the staple cavities 184 can bearranged in three staple rows, for example, on a first side 145 of thecartridge body 185 and three staple rows, for example, on a second side147 of the cartridge body 185. In at least one such embodiment, thefirst side 145 and the second side 147 of the cartridge body 185 can beseparated by a knife slot 162 which can be configured to slidablyreceive a cutting member therein. In various other embodiments, acartridge can comprise any other suitable number of staple rows, such astwo staple rows or four staple rows, for example, on each side of theknife slot 162. Referring to FIG. 9, in various embodiments, the staplecartridge 142 can further comprise a plurality of staple drivers 182configured to support the staples 187 and/or eject the staples 187 fromthe staple cavities 184. In certain embodiments, each staple cavity 184can comprise an open end, or opening, 110 in the deck 190 of thecartridge body 185 through which the staples 187 can be ejected.

In various embodiments, referring primarily to FIG. 8, the staplecavities 184 can be arranged such that they are staggered longitudinallyrelative to one another. For example, the staple cavities 184 on thefirst side 145 of the cartridge body 185, for example, can be arrangedin an innermost row of staple cavities 184, an intermediate row ofstaple cavities 184, and an outermost row of staple cavities 184,wherein the staple cavities 184 in one row may not be alignedtransversely with the staple cavities 184 in one or both of the otherrows. In at least one embodiment, each staple cavity 184 can comprise aproximal end 111 and a distal end 112, wherein the proximal end 111 ofeach staple cavity 184 can be positioned closer to the proximal end 141of the cartridge body 185 than the distal end 112. Likewise, the distalend 112 of each cavity 184 can be positioned closer to the distal end143 of the cartridge body 185 than the proximal end 111. In variousembodiments, the innermost row of staple cavities 184 can be positionedsuch that the distal ends 112 of the staple cavities 184 within theinnermost row are positioned distally with respect to the distal ends112 of the staple cavities 184 in the intermediate row of staplecavities 184. Similarly, the outermost row of staple cavities 184 can bepositioned such that the distal ends 112 of the staple cavities 184within the outermost row are positioned distally with respect to thedistal ends 112 of the staple cavities in the intermediate row of staplecavities 184. For example, the distal-most staple cavity 184 in theinnermost row can be positioned distally with respect to the distal-moststaple cavity 184 in the intermediate row and, similarly, thedistal-most staple cavity 184 in the outermost row can be positioneddistally with respect to the distal-most staple cavity 184 in theintermediate row. In certain embodiments, the staple cavities 184 of theinnermost row and the staple cavities 184 of the outermost row can bealigned transversely with each other such that, one, the distal ends 112of the innermost staple cavities 184 are aligned with the distal ends112 of the outermost staple cavities 184 and, two, the proximal ends 111of the innermost staple cavities 184 are aligned with the proximal ends111 of the outermost staple cavities 184. In various embodiments, eachstaple cavity 184, and their openings 110, can have the same, or atleast approximately the same, configuration and, in at least oneembodiment, the staple cavities 184 can be spaced equidistantly, or atleast substantially equidistantly, relative to one another within astaple row.

In various embodiments, referring again to FIGS. 7 and 8, the cartridgebody 185 of the staple cartridge 142 can further comprise one or moreridges, such as ridges 113, 114, and 115, for example, which can beconfigured to contact and compress the targeted tissue. Moreparticularly, referring now to FIG. 8A, the anvil 120 of an end effectorcan be closed in order to compress the tissue T against the staplecartridge 142 wherein, in such circumstances, the tissue-contacting deck190 and the ridges 113, 114, and 115 extending therefrom can engage thetissue. As the anvil 120 is closed, in certain circumstances, the anvil120 can push the tissue toward the staple cartridge 142 such that thetissue first contacts the ridges 113, 114, and 115 and then contacts thecartridge deck 190. In other circumstances, the staple cartridge 142 canbe positioned against the tissue such that the ridges 113, 114, and 115contact the tissue before the tissue is contacted by the cartridge deck190. In any event, the ridges 113, 114, and 115, once in contact in withthe tissue, can prevent, or at least limit, relative movement betweenthe tissue and the staple cartridge 142. In certain embodiments, theridges 113, 114, and 115 can extend upwardly from a flat, or at leastsubstantially flat, cartridge deck 190 and can define one or morepockets or channels, for example, which can be configured to receive aportion of the tissue therein and, as a result, inhibit the relativemovement of the tissue in the longitudinal direction and/or thetransverse direction of the end effector, especially when the tissue isat least partially compressed between the anvil 120 and the ridges 113,114, and 115. In various embodiments, as the ridges 113, 114, and 115extend above the cartridge deck 190, the tissue positioned intermediatethe anvil 120 and the ridges 113, 114, and 115 can be compressed beforethe tissue positioned intermediate the anvil 120 and the cartridge deck190 is compressed. In some such circumstances, as a result, the tissuepositioned between the anvil 120 and the ridges 113, 114, and 115 can bepre-compressed, i.e., at least partially compressed before the otherportions of the tissue positioned between the anvil 120 and thecartridge deck 190 are compressed. Owing to this pre-compression, invarious circumstances, portions of the tissue can be controlled orprevented from slipping out of the end effector before the tissue isfully compressed as described in greater detail below.

In various embodiments, referring again to FIGS. 7 and 8, the ridges 113extending from the cartridge deck 190 can extend around the proximalends 111 of the staple cavity openings 110. Similarly, the ridges 114extending from the cartridge deck 190 can extend around the distal ends112 of the staple cavity openings 110. These proximal ridges 113 anddistal ridges 114, in various embodiments, can be configured to engagethe tissue positioned above and/or around the staple cavities 184 andhold these portions of the tissue in position as the tissue is beingcompressed and/or stapled. Stated another way, holding the tissuepositioned above and/or surrounding the staple cavities 184 can providelocalized control over the portions of the tissue that are going to bestapled and, as a result, prevent, or at least limit, the relativemovement between these portions of the tissue and the staple cartridge142. In various embodiments, the ridges 113 and 114 can be positionedaround the openings 110 of all of the staple cavities 184 or only someof the staple cavities 184. In at least one embodiment, a cartridge bodymay comprise ridges 113 and 114 surrounding only the staple cavities 184in the outermost rows of the first and second sides 145 and 147. In suchembodiments, the ridges surrounding the outermost rows of staplecavities 184 may be sufficient to block the lateral movement of thetissue within the end effector. In certain embodiments, a cartridge bodymay only comprise proximal ridges 113 surrounding the proximal ends 111of the proximal-most staple cavities 184 and/or distal ridges 114surrounding the distal ends 112 of the distal-most staple cavities 184.In such embodiments, the ridges surrounding the proximal-most anddistal-most staple cavities 184 may be sufficient to block thelongitudinal movement of the tissue within the end effector.

In various embodiments, further to the above, each proximal ridge 113can comprise an arcuate or curved profile, for example, which surroundsa proximal end 111 of an opening 110. The arcuate profile of eachproximal ridge 113 can be defined by one radius of curvature or morethan one radius of curvature. Similarly, each distal ridge 114 cancomprise an arcuate or curved profile, for example, which surrounds adistal end 112 of an opening 110. The arcuate profile of each distalridge 114 can be defined by one radius of curvature or more than oneradius of curvature. In certain embodiments, further to the above, eachridge 113 and 114 can form a pocket which can receive a portion oftissue that is being compressed and prevent that portion of tissue frommoving longitudinally and/or transversely relative to the staplecartridge 142. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge 142 canfurther comprise intermediate ridges 115 which can extend between and/orconnect adjacent ridges 113 and 114 in adjacent rows of staple cavities184. In at least one such embodiment, one or more ridges 113, 114, and115 can co-operatively form an undulating ridge extending across thefirst side 145 or the second side 147 of the cartridge body 185 wherein,in at least one embodiment, the undulating ridge can extend between acenter portion and a side portion of the cartridge body 142. In variousembodiments, each undulating ridge can comprise a plurality of waveportions winding around the proximal and distal ends of the staplecavities 184, for example. In various embodiments, each ridge 113, 114,and 115 can comprise a height defined from the cartridge deck 190wherein, in certain embodiments, the height of each ridge 113, 114, and115 can be uniform, or at least substantially uniform, across the lengththereof. In at least one embodiment, each ridge 113, 114, and 115 canhave the same, or at least substantially the same, height.

In various embodiments, as described above, the staple cavities definedin a staple cartridge body can comprise a staple positioned thereinwherein the entirety of the staple can be positioned below the topsurface, or tissue-contacting surface, of the cartridge deck when thestaple is in its unfired position. In certain other embodiments, atleast a portion of the staple, such as the tips of the staple legs, forexample, can extend above the top surface, or tissue-contacting surface,of the cartridge deck when the staples are in their unfired position. Insome such embodiments, the tips of the staples can protrude from thedeck and may snag on tissue as the staple cartridge is inserted into asurgical site. In at least one embodiment, referring now to FIG. 9, theridges 113 and 114, for example, which extend above thetissue-contacting cartridge deck 190, can at least partially surroundand protect the staple legs 183 of staples 187 when they extend abovethe cartridge deck 190 in their unfired position. Although the ridges113 and 114 may not extend entirely around each opening 110, in variousembodiments, the proximal ridge 113 may sufficiently surround one of thestaple leg tips and the distal ridge 114 may sufficiently surround theother staple leg tip such that the staple leg tips do not contact thetissue prior to the tissue being compressed against the staple cartridge142 and/or the staples 187 being ejected from the staple cartridge 142.In at least one embodiment, the staple leg tips can be positioned belowthe top surfaces 116 of the ridges 113 and 114. In certain embodiments,the staple leg tips can lie in a common plane with the top surfaces 116of the ridges 113 and 114. In various embodiments, as a result of theprotection afforded by the ridges 113 and 114, for example, stapleshaving a taller staple height can be used without the staple tipsprotruding from the staple cartridge 142 in their unfired position. Incertain embodiments, referring again to FIG. 9, the ridges 113 and 114can extend or increase the length in which the staple legs 183 of thestaples 187 can be controlled and/or supported. In at least one suchembodiment, each ridge 113 and 114 can extend or increase the length inwhich the staple legs 183 are supported on three sides thereof. Suchembodiments can prevent, or at least reduce the possibility of, thestaple legs 183 from buckling when they are inserted through densetissue, such as bronchus tissue, for example.

In various embodiments, referring again to FIG. 4, the cartridge body 85can comprise cavities 84, slot 62, and channels 86, for example, definedtherein which can reduce the strength of the cartridge body 85. Invarious circumstances, especially when the cartridge body 85 iscompressed by the anvil 20, for example, the cartridge body 85 candeflect as a result of the load applied thereto. In at least one suchembodiment, the portions of the cartridge deck 90 extending over thechannels 86, for example, may be especially thin and may be especiallysubject to deflection and/or breakage. In certain embodiments, referringagain to FIGS. 7 and 8, the ridges 113, 114, and/or 115 can beconfigured to strengthen and/or stiffen the cartridge body 185. In atleast one such embodiment, the ridges 113 and 114, for example, canextend around the openings 110 in order to strengthen and/or stiffen theportions of the cartridge body 185 surrounding the staple cavities 184.In certain embodiments, the ridges 115, for example, can extendtransversely over channels 86, or the like, defined within the cartridgebody 185 such that the ridges 115 can strengthen and/or stiffen thecartridge body 185 surrounding the channels 86. In various otherembodiments, the cartridge body 185 can comprise any suitable number andconfiguration of ridges extending therefrom in order to achieve theadvantages described herein.

In various embodiments, a staple cartridge body 185 can be comprised ofplastic materials, metallic materials, and/or ceramic materials, forexample. Some such materials can comprise liquid crystal polymers, suchas Vectra, for example, thermoplastic polymers, such as polycarbonate,ABS, Noryl, polyamides (nylons), polyethersulfones, polyetherimides,such as Ultem, for example, and/or polymer blends of two or more of theaforementioned thermoplastic polymers, for example, wherein, in variousembodiments, the cartridge body 185 can be formed by an injectionmolding process, for example. Some such materials can comprise thermosetpolymers, like thermoset polyesters, for example, investment caststainless steels, such as 17-4 PH, for example, and/or metal Injectionmolded stainless steels, such as 17-4 PH, for example. In at least onesuch embodiment, the ridges 113, 114, and/or 115 can be integrallyformed with the cartridge deck 190 of the cartridge body 185. In certainembodiments, the ridges 113, 114, and/or 115 can be attached to thecartridge deck 190 by at least one adhesive, for example.

In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 12, a staple cartridge,such as staple cartridge 342, for example, can comprise a cartridge body385, a plurality of staple cavities 384 defined in the cartridge body385, and a staple positioned in each of the staple cavities 384. Incertain embodiments, the cartridge body 385 can further comprise a firstside 345 comprising a first group of staple cavities 384, a second side347 comprising a second group of staple cavities 384, and a cartridgedeck 390. In various embodiments, the cartridge body 385 can furthercomprise a plurality of ridges 315 extending from the cartridge deck 390which can be positioned intermediate adjacent staple cavities 384 in arow of staple cavities 384. In at least one embodiment, each ridge 315can comprise a cross-shaped or X-shaped configuration, for example. Inat least one such embodiment, for example, each ridge 315 can comprise aV-shaped portion 313 which can at least partially surround a proximalend 311 of a staple cavity opening 310 and, in addition, a V-shapedportion 314 which can at least partially surround a distal end 312 ofanother staple cavity opening 310. In certain embodiments, only theoutermost rows of staple cavities 384 in cartridge body 385 can be atleast partially surrounded by ridges 315. In certain other embodiments,referring now to FIG. 13, a staple cartridge body 385′ can compriseridges 315 which at least partially surround the opening 310 of everystaple cavity 384 in the cartridge body. In any event, in variousembodiments, each ridge 315 can be configured to compress and controltissue positioned against the staple cartridge 342 as described aboveand/or surround the staple legs of the staples extending above the deck390.

In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 16, a staple cartridge,such as staple cartridge 542, for example, can comprise a cartridge body585, a plurality of staple cavities 584 defined in the cartridge body585, and a staple positioned in each of the staple cavities 584. Incertain embodiments, the cartridge body 585 can further comprise a firstside 545 comprising a first group of staple cavities 584, a second side547 comprising a second group of staple cavities 584, and a cartridgedeck 590. In various embodiments, the cartridge body 585 can furthercomprise a plurality of ridges 515 extending from the cartridge deck590, wherein each ridge 515 can entirely surround or encompass a staplecavity opening 510. As illustrated in FIG. 16, some cavity openings 510in the cartridge body 585 may not be surrounded by a ridge 515; whereas,in various alternative embodiments, referring now to FIG. 16A, everycavity opening 510 in a cartridge body 585′ can be surrounded by a ridge515. Various embodiments are contemplated where a cartridge bodycomprises a first group of staple cavities 584 which are surrounded by aridge 515 and a second group of staple cavities 584 which are notsurrounded by a ridge 515, wherein staples having a taller staple heightcan be positioned in the first group of staple cavities 584 and whereinstaples having a shorter staple height can be positioned in the secondgroup of staple cavities 584 such that neither the taller staples northe shorter staples protrude from the staple cartridge 542. In at leastone such embodiment, for example, the cartridge body can be configuredto utilize taller staples in one row of staple cavities 584 and shorterstaples in another row of staple cavities 584. In certain embodiments,ridges 515 can surround all of the staple cavities 584 in the outermostrows of staple cavities 584 in the cartridge body such that tallerstaples can be utilized in the outermost rows and shorter staples can beutilized in the innermost rows and/or intermediate rows of staplecavities 584, for example.

In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 14, a staple cartridge,such as staple cartridge 442, for example, can comprise a cartridge body485, a plurality of staple cavities 484 defined in the cartridge body485, and a staple positioned in each of the staple cavities 484. Incertain embodiments, the cartridge body 485 can further comprise a firstside 445 comprising a first group of staple cavities 484, a second side447 comprising a second group of staple cavities 484, and a cartridgedeck 490. In various embodiments, the cartridge body 445 can furthercomprise a plurality of ridges 415 extending from the cartridge deck490, wherein each ridge 415 can comprise a plurality, or array, ofknurls. In use, an anvil can be utilized to position tissue against theknurls such that the tissue conforms to the contour of the knurls. Invarious embodiments, each ridge 415 can comprise a plurality ofpyramidal-shaped, or diamond-shaped, knurls, for example, at leastpartially surrounding one or more staple cavity openings 410 wherein, inat least one embodiment, the pyramidal-shaped knurls can point upwardlyfrom the cartridge deck 490. In at least one embodiment, each pyramidalknurl can comprise four triangular sides which can converge together toform a sharp point. In certain embodiments, referring to FIG. 15A, thepyramidal knurls of ridges 415 can be truncated, wherein the top of eachknurl can comprise a flat top surface surrounded by inclined sides.Although four-sided pyramidal knurls can be utilized, referring now toFIG. 15C, other pyramidal shapes are contemplated which have less thanfour sides or more than four sides, such as three sides, for example. Invarious embodiments, one or more ridges 415 can comprise a plurality ofcone-shaped knurls, wherein each cone-shaped knurl can comprise acircular, or at least substantially circular, base which tapers upwardlyto form a sharp point. In certain embodiments, referring now to FIG.15B, the cone-shaped knurls can be truncated, wherein the top of eachknurl can comprise a flat top surface surrounded by an annular side. Invarious embodiments, referring again to FIG. 14, the knurls of theridges 415 can extend along the lateral sides of the staple cavityopenings 410 and/or between adjacent staple cavity openings 410. In atleast one embodiment, the knurls can extend around the proximal ends 411and/or the distal ends 412 of the staple cavity openings 410. In certainembodiments, the knurls of ridges 415 may only surround some of thestaple cavities 484 while, in certain other embodiments, referring toFIG. 15, the knurls of ridges 415 may cover the entirety, or at leastthe substantial entirety, of the cartridge deck 490, for example.

In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 10, a staple cartridge,such as staple cartridge 242, for example, can comprise a cartridge body285, a plurality of staple cavities 284 defined in the cartridge body285, and a staple positioned in each of the staple cavities 284. Incertain embodiments, the cartridge body 285 can further comprise a firstside 245 comprising a first group of staple cavities 284, a second side247 comprising a second group of staple cavities 284, and a cartridgedeck 290. In various embodiments, the cartridge body 285 can furthercomprise a plurality of ridges, or bumps, 215 extending from thecartridge deck 290. In at least one such embodiment, each ridge 215 canextend transversely between a center, or middle, portion of thecartridge body 245 positioned adjacent to a knife slot 262 and a lateralportion of the cartridge body 245. More particularly, referringspecifically to the first side 245 of the cartridge body 285, each ridge215 can comprise a first end 213 positioned adjacent to the knife slot262 and a second end 214 positioned adjacent to the first side 261 ofthe cartridge body 285. Similarly, referring now to the second side 247of the cartridge body 285, each ridge 215 can comprise a first end 213positioned adjacent to the knife slot 262 and a second end 214positioned adjacent to the second side 263 of the cartridge body 285. Inat least one embodiment, each ridge 215 can comprise a height measuredfrom the deck 290 wherein, in at least one such embodiment, the heightof each ridge 215 can vary along the length thereof. In certainembodiments, the second end 214 can be taller than the first end 213 andthe height of each ridge 215 can taper between the second end 214 andthe first end 213. In certain alternative embodiments, although notillustrated, the first end 213 of the ridge 215 can be taller than thesecond end 214. In at least one embodiment, the height of each ridge 215can taper linearly, or at least substantially linearly, between the ends213 and 214. In at least one such embodiment, the height of each ridge215 can taper between a maximum height at the second end 214 down to noheight at all at the first end 213. In certain embodiments, the heightof each ridge 215 can vary geometrically between the ends 213 and 214.In certain alternative embodiments, referring now to FIG. 11, each ridge215′ can comprise a uniform height across the length thereof.

As described above, the inner ends 213 of the ridges 215 can be shorterthan the outer ends 214 of the ridges 215. In various circumstances, asa result, the inner ends 213 can apply less pressure to the tissueclamped between an anvil and the staple cartridge 242 as compared to theouter ends 214. In various embodiments, as described above, each ridge215 can extend transversely across the cartridge deck 290. In certainembodiments, each ridge 215 can extend along a ridge axis whichtransects a longitudinal axis 299 of the cartridge body 285. In at leastone such embodiment, the ridge axes can be perpendicular, or at leastsubstantially perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis 299. In variousembodiments, the staple cavities 284 can be arranged in a plurality ofrows, wherein each row of staple cavities 284 can be defined along alongitudinal axis which can be parallel to, or at least substantiallyparallel to, the longitudinal axis 299. In at least one embodiment, theridge axes of the ridges 215 can extend in a direction which transectthe longitudinal axes of the staple cavities 284. In at least one suchembodiment, the ridge axes of the ridges 215 can extend in a directionwhich is perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, to thelongitudinal axes of the staple cavities 284. In various embodiments,referring again to FIG. 10, each ridge 215 can comprise a crest 209 and,in addition, sloped surfaces 208 extending between the crest 209 and thecartridge deck 290. In certain embodiments, each sloped surface 208 cancomprise one or more flat surfaces, curved surfaces, concave surfaces,and/or convex surfaces, for example. In various embodiments, each ridge215 can extend along a path which extends across one or more openings210 of the staple cavities 284. In at least one such embodiment, suchopenings 210 can extend upwardly through the ridges 215. As the ridges215 extend transversely across the cartridge deck 290, the ridges 215,similar to the ridges 115, can increase the strength and/or stiffness ofthe cartridge body 285.

In various embodiments, referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, a staplecartridge, such as staple cartridge 642, for example, can comprise acartridge body 685, a plurality of staple cavities 684 defined in thecartridge body 685, and a staple positioned in each of the staplecavities 684. In certain embodiments, the cartridge body 685 can furthercomprise a first side 645 comprising a first group of staple cavities684, a second side 647 comprising a second group of staple cavities 684,and a cartridge deck 690. In various embodiments, the cartridge body 685can further comprise a plurality of ridges, or bumps, 615 extending fromthe cartridge deck 690. In at least one such embodiment, each ridge 615can extend in a longitudinal direction, wherein each ridge 615 cancomprise a distal end 613 and a proximal end 614, wherein the distal end613 of the ridge 615 can positioned closer to the distal end 643 of thecartridge body 685, and wherein the proximal end 614 of the ridge 615can be positioned closer to the proximal end 641. In at least oneembodiment, each ridge 615 can comprise a height measured from the deck690 wherein, in at least one such embodiment, the height of each ridge615 can vary along the length thereof. In certain embodiments, theproximal end 614 can be taller than the distal end 613 and the height ofeach ridge 615 can taper between the proximal end 614 and the distal end613. In certain alternative embodiments, although not illustrated, thedistal end 613 of the ridge 615 can be taller than the proximal end 614.In at least one embodiment, the height of each ridge 615 can taperlinearly, or at least substantially linearly, between the ends 613 and614. In at least one such embodiment, the height of each ridge 615 cantaper between a maximum height at the proximal end 614 down to no heightat all at the distal end 613. In certain embodiments, the height of eachridge 615 can vary geometrically between the ends 613 and 614. Incertain alternative embodiments, each ridge 615 can comprise a uniformheight across the length thereof.

As described above, the distal ends 613 of the ridges 615 can be shorterthan the proximal ends 614 of the ridges 615. In various circumstances,as a result, the distal ends 613 can apply less pressure to the tissueclamped between an anvil and the staple cartridge 642 as compared to theproximal ends 614. In various embodiments, as described above, eachridge 615 can extend longitudinally across the cartridge deck 690. Incertain embodiments, each ridge 615 can extend along a ridge axis whichis parallel to, or at least substantially parallel to, a longitudinalaxis 699 of the cartridge body 685. In various embodiments, the staplecavities 684 can be arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein each row ofstaple cavities 684 can be defined along a longitudinal axis which canbe parallel to, or at least substantially parallel to, the ridge axes ofridges 615. In at least one embodiment, referring again to FIG. 18, eachridge 615 can comprise a ramped surface which can comprise one or moreflat surfaces, curved surfaces, concave surfaces, and/or convexsurfaces, for example. In at least one such embodiment, the bottom ofthe ramped surface can face distally which can facilitate the sliding oftissue across the staple cartridge 642 when the tissue is positioned inthe end effector. In various embodiments, each ridge 615 can extendalong a path which extends across one or more openings 610 of the staplecavities 684. In at least one such embodiment, such openings 610 canextend upwardly through the ridges 615. As the ridges 615 extendtransversely across the cartridge deck 690, the ridges 615 can increasethe strength and/or stiffness of the cartridge body 685.

In various embodiments, further to the above, a surgical staple can becomprised of titanium, such as titanium wire, for example. In certainembodiments, a surgical staple can be comprised of an alloy comprisingtitanium, aluminum, and/or vanadium, for example. In at least oneembodiment, the surgical staple can be comprised of surgical stainlesssteel and/or an alloy comprised of cobalt and chromium, for example. Inany event, the surgical staple can be comprised of metal, such astitanium, and a metal oxide outer surface, such as titanium oxide, forexample. In various embodiments, the metal oxide outer surface can becoated with a material. In certain embodiments, the coating material canbe comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), such as Teflon®, and/ora tetrafluoroehtylene (TFE) such as ethylene-tetrafluoroehtylene (ETFE),perfluroralkoxyethylene-tetrafluoroehtylene (PFA), and/or FluorinatedEthylene Propylene (FEP), for example. Certain coatings can comprisesilicon. In various embodiments, such coating materials can prevent, orat least inhibit, further oxidation of the metal. In certainembodiments, the coating materials can provide one or more lubricioussurfaces against which the anvil, or staple pockets, can contact thestaples in order to reduce the friction force therebetween. In variouscircumstances, lower friction forces between the staples and the staplepockets can reduce the force required to deform the staples.

The disclosures of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0074198,entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE, which was filed on Sep. 29, 2010, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,733,613, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2013/0161375, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE, which was filed on Feb. 21,2013, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

An end effector of a surgical stapling instrument is illustrated inFIGS. 23 and 55. The end effector can include an anvil, such as anvil20, for example, and a jaw, or staple cartridge channel, 22 configuredto removably support a staple cartridge therein. A staple cartridge2000, for example, is positioned in the cartridge channel 22. The staplecartridge 2000 can comprise a cartridge body 2010 including a pluralityof staple cavities 2050 defined therein. Each staple cavity 2050 can beconfigured to removably store a staple therein. The cartridge body 2010can include a deck surface 2011 and a longitudinal slot 2015 defined inthe deck surface 2011 configured to removably receive a firing memberand/or cutting edge therein. The cartridge body 2010 can furthercomprise a distal end 2013, a proximal end 2016, and opposinglongitudinal sides 2012 extending between the distal end 2013 and theproximal end 2016. In various instances, each longitudinal side 2012 cancomprise a contiguous or continuous edge without interruptions definedtherein. Upon comparing FIGS. 7 and 23, for instance, the reader willappreciate that the longitudinal sides of the staple cartridge 142depicted in FIG. 7 comprises at least one notch defined therein whilethe longitudinal sides 2012 comprise no such notches.

Referring primarily to FIG. 55, the cartridge body 2010 can furthercomprise a plurality of projections 2051 extending from the deck surface2011. Projections 2051 can be configured to engage tissue positionedintermediate the anvil 20 and the cartridge 2000 and control themovement of the tissue relative to the cartridge 2000. Tissue can moverelative to the cartridge 2000 in various instances. In at least oneinstance, tissue can flow relative to the cartridge 2000 when the anvil20 is moved between an open position (FIG. 23) and a closed position inwhich the tissue is squeezed between the anvil 20 and the cartridge2000. In such instances, the tissue may flow laterally toward thelongitudinal sides 2012, distally toward the distal end 2013, and/orproximally toward the proximal end 2016. In at least one other instance,tissue can flow relative to the cartridge 2000 when the cutting edge isadvanced distally through the tissue captured between the anvil 20 andthe cartridge 2000. In such instances, tissue may flow laterally,distally, and/or proximally, but it primarily flows distally due to thedistal movement of the cutting edge. In various instances, projections2051 can be configured to limit or prevent the flow of the tissuerelative to the staple cartridge. Projections 2051 can be positioned atthe proximal end and/or the distal end of the staple cavities 2050. Invarious instances, each projection 2051 can comprise a cuff extendingaround an end of a staple cavity 2050. In certain instances, eachprojection 2051 can comprise an arcuate ridge extending around an end ofa staple cavity 2050.

Referring primarily to FIG. 55, the cartridge body 2010 can comprise asloped transition 2014 extending between the distal tip of the cartridgebody 2010 and the deck surface 2011. The sloped transition 2014 canfacilitate the movement of the cartridge 2000 relative to the tissuewhen positioning the cartridge 2000 and the anvil 20 within a surgicalsite. In such instances, the tissue can slide over the sloped surface2014. In various instances, the sloped surface 2014 can comprise aradiused surface. In various instances, the sloped surface 2014 cancomprise an angled surface. In certain instances, the sloped surface2014 can comprise a concave surface and/or a convex surface. In at leastone instance, as illustrated in FIG. 55, the sloped surface 2014 cancomprise a distal concave surface which transitions into a flat, angledsurface which transitions into a proximal convex surface, for example.

The staple cavities 2050 defined in the cartridge body 2010 can bearranged in longitudinal rows. For instance, three longitudinal rows ofstaple cavities 2050 can be arranged on a first side of the longitudinalslot 2015 and three longitudinal rows of staple cavities 2050 can bearranged on a second side of the longitudinal slot 2105. Eachlongitudinal row can include a distal-most staple cavity 2050 adjacentto the distal end 2013 and a proximal-most staple cavity 2050 adjacentto the proximal end 2016. In various instances, the cartridge body 2010can further comprise projections 2053 extending from the deck surface2011. The projections 2053 can be positioned at the distal ends of thedistal-most staple cavities 2050. Each projection 2053 can comprise adistal sloped surface, for example, configured to facilitate theinsertion of the tissue between the staple cartridge 2000 and the anvil20. In various instances, the distal-most cavities 2050 can each includea projection 2053 positioned at the distal end thereof and a projection2051 positioned at a proximal end thereof.

Each projection 2051 and/or projection 2053 can be configured to supportat least a portion of a staple removably stored in a staple cavity 2050.In various instances, each projection 2051 can extend an endwall 2052 ofthe staple cavity 2050 above the deck 2011. In certain instances,referring generally to FIGS. 24 and 26-29, a staple positioned withinthe staple cavity 2050 can include a base, a first leg extending fromthe base at a first angle, and a second leg extending from the base at asecond angle. The first leg can be in contact with a first endwall 2052(FIG. 55) of a staple cavity 2050 and the second leg can be in contactwith a second endwall 2052 of the staple cavity. In certain instances,the distance, or spread, between the first leg and the second leg of thestaple can be wider than the distance between the endwalls 2052 suchthat, when the staple is positioned within the staple cavity 2050, thelegs are biased inwardly by the endwalls 2052. When the staple is storedwithin the staple cavity 2050 in its unfired, or unlifted, position, thetips of the staple legs may be positioned within the projections 2051.In such instances, the projections 2051 can support and protect the tipsof the staple legs above the deck 2011. In some instances, the tips ofthe staple legs may be positioned below the projections 2051 when thestaple is in its unfired position and, thus, the projections 2051 maynot support the staple legs when the staple is in its unfired position.When such a staple is fired, or lifted out of the staple cavity 2050,the staple legs may then come into contact with and be supported by theprojections 2051. In any event, the projections 2051 can continue tosupport the staple legs as the staple is deployed until the staple hasbeen sufficiently fired and/or lifted out of the staple cavity 2050 suchthat the staple legs are no longer in contact with the projections 2051.Projections 2053 can perform in a similar manner as that described inconnection with projections 2051.

In various instances, further to the above, a projection 2051 can extenda staple cavity 2050 above the deck 2011 of the cartridge body 2010. Incertain instances, the projection 2051 can be configured such that anendwall 2052 of the staple cavity 2050 extends seamlessly into theprojection 2051. Stated another way, a seamless surface can be definedbetween the endwall 2052 and the projection 2051. Such a seamlesssurface can reduce the possibility of a staple leg which is biasedagainst the endwall 2052 and the projection 2051 from contacting an edgeor step defined within the staple cavity 2050 and/or digging into thesidewall of the staple cavity 2050. FIG. 55A illustrates a step 2056defined between the projection 2051 and the endwall 2052. While the step2056 comprises an outward step and not an inward step, the step 2056 canbe eliminated to provide a seamless surface as discussed above. Inembodiments where the cartridge body 2010 is formed during an injectionmolding process, the cartridge 2010 can be formed in a mold cavitydefined between two halves of an injection mold. The two halves of theinjection mold can contact one another to seal, or at leastsubstantially seal, the mold cavity. The interface between the two moldhalves is often referred to as the seal line, or parting line, and,oftentimes, a small ledge or lip is formed in the cartridge body alongthe seal line. This is especially true when the seal line is used tovent air from the mold cavity during the injection molding process. Thisledge or lip is often referred to as ‘flash’. The injection mold can becarefully designed such that the seal line does not produce a ledge orlip in the endwall 2052 and/or the inwardly-facing surface of theprojection 2051. In at least one instance, the projection 2051 cancomprise an end cuff portion 2057 and a transition portion 2058extending from opposite ends of the cuff portion to the deck 2011. Theseal line between the two mold halves can be selected such that itextends along the top surface of the projection 2051. An exemplary sealline 2059 is depicted in FIG. 55A, although other suitable seal linescould be selected.

A staple cartridge 2800 is illustrated in FIGS. 56 and 57. The staplecartridge 2800 can include a cartridge body 2810. The cartridge body2810 can comprise a distal end 2813, a proximal end 2816, and opposinglateral sides 2812. Similar to the above, each lateral side 2812 maycomprise a contiguous edge without notches defined therein. Thecartridge body 2810 can further include a deck 2811, a plurality ofstaple cavities 2850 defined in the deck 2811, and a longitudinal slot2815 configured to receive a knife edge of a firing member, for example.The cartridge body 2810 can further comprise ridges 2851 extending fromthe deck 2811. In various instances, the ridges 2851 can comprise apattern. In at least one instance, each ridge 2851 can extend between alateral side 2812 and the longitudinal slot 2815. Each ridge 2851 cancomprise any suitable configuration, such as a plateau, for example. Oneor more staple cavities 2850 can extend through the ridge 2851. In someinstances, at least a portion of a staple cavity 2850 in the inner rowof staple cavities 2850, at least a portion of a staple cavity 2850 inthe middle row of staple cavities 2850, and/or at least a portion of astaple cavity 2850 in an outer row of staple cavities 2850 can extendthrough the plateau of a ridge 2851. Each ridge 2851 can comprise aninner end 2858 positioned adjacent to the longitudinal slot 2815 and anouter end 2859 positioned adjacent to a lateral side 2812. In certaininstances, the inner end 2858 can be positioned distally with respect tothe outer end 2859. In other instances, although not illustrated, theouter end 2859 can be positioned distally with respect to the inner end2858. The ridges 2851 can be parallel, for example. In certaininstances, the ridges 2851 can comprise a tread pattern, for example. Inat least one instance, the ridges 2851 extending from the deck 2811 on afirst side of the longitudinal slot 2815 can comprise a mirror image ofthe ridges 2851 extending from the deck on a second side of thelongitudinal slot 2815. In various instances, gaps can be definedbetween the ridges 2851. Tissue can flow into the gaps when the tissueis compressed against the cartridge deck 2811 by an anvil, for example.The gaps can be configured to direct the flow of tissue in a desireddirection.

A staple cartridge 2900 is illustrated in FIG. 58. The staple cartridge2900 can include a cartridge body 2910. The cartridge body 2910 cancomprise a distal end 2913, a proximal end, and opposing lateral sides2912. Similar to the above, each lateral side 2912 may comprise acontiguous edge without notches defined therein. The cartridge body 2910can further include a deck 2911, a plurality of staple cavities 2950defined in the deck 2911, and a longitudinal slot 2915 configured toreceive a knife edge of a firing member, for example. The cartridge body2910 can further comprise ridges 2951 extending from the deck 2911. Invarious instances, the ridges 2951 can comprise a pattern. Each ridge2951 can extend between the distal end 2913 and the proximal end of thecartridge body 2910. In at least one instance, each ridge 2951 canextend toward a lateral side 2912 and toward the longitudinal slot 2915.In various instances, each ridge 2951 can comprise angled portions 2954which extend inwardly and proximally, straight portions 2955 whichextend longitudinally, and angled portions 2956 which extend inwardlyand distally. The ridges 2951 can extend around and/or between thestaple cavities 2950. In at least one instance, the angled portions 2954and the angled portions 2956 can extend between staple cavities 2950 ina longitudinal row of staple cavities 2950. The ridges 2951 can beparallel to one another, for example. In certain instances, the ridges2951 can comprise a tread pattern, for example. In at least oneinstance, the ridges 2951 extending from the deck 2911 on a first sideof the longitudinal slot 2915 can comprise a mirror image of the ridges2951 extending from the deck on a second side of the longitudinal slot2915. In various instances, gaps can be defined between the ridges 2951.Tissue can flow into the gaps when the tissue is compressed against thecartridge deck 2911 by an anvil, for example. The gaps can be configuredto direct the flow of tissue in a desired direction.

A staple cartridge can include a uniform array of projections extendingtherefrom. In other instances, the array may not be uniform. In certaininstances, the projections in the array may not extend a staple cavity.In various instances, the projections in the array may not support astaple.

A staple cartridge 3000 is illustrated in FIGS. 59 and 60. The staplecartridge 3000 can include a cartridge body 3010. The cartridge body3010 can comprise a distal end 3013, a proximal end, and opposinglateral sides 3012. Similar to the above, each lateral side 3012 maycomprise a contiguous edge without notches defined therein. Thecartridge body 3010 can further include a deck 3011, a plurality ofstaple cavities 3050 defined in the deck 3011, and a longitudinal slot3015 configured to receive a knife edge of a firing member, for example.The cartridge body 3010 can further comprise projections 3051 extendingfrom the deck 3011. In various instances, the projections 3051 cancomprise a pattern. In at least one instance, each projection 3051 cancomprise a pyramidal configuration. A pyramidal configuration caninclude four sides which culminate in a point, for example.Alternatively, the four sides could culminate in a flat surface, forexample. Alternatively, a pyramidal configuration can include threesides which culminate in a point, for example. In any event, asillustrated in FIG. 59, an array of projections 3051 can extend acrossthe deck 3011 between the longitudinal slot 3015 and the lateral sides3012. The projections 3051 can be arranged around the staple cavities3050. The staple cavities 3050 can be arranged in longitudinal rows andthe projections 3051 can be positioned intermediate the staple cavities3050 within a longitudinal row of staple cavities 3050. The projections3051 can be positioned intermediate staple cavities 3050 in adjacentlongitudinal rows of staple cavities 3050. The projections 3051 can bepositioned intermediate the innermost rows of staple cavities 3050 andthe longitudinal channel 3015. The projections 3051 can be positionedintermediate the outermost rows of staple cavities 3050 and the lateraledges 3012. The projections 3051 can be positioned distally with respectto the distal-most staple cavities 3050. The projections 3051 can bepositioned proximally with respect to the proximal-most staple cavities3050. The projections 3051 may be positioned distally with respect tothe distal end of the longitudinal slot 3015. In other instances, theprojections 3051 may not be positioned distally with respect to thedistal end of the longitudinal slot 3015.

A staple cartridge 3100 is illustrated in FIGS. 61 and 62. The staplecartridge 3100 can include a cartridge body 3110. The cartridge body3110 can comprise a distal end 3113, a proximal end, and opposinglateral sides 3112. Similar to the above, each lateral side 3112 maycomprise a contiguous edge without notches defined therein. Thecartridge body 3110 can further include a deck 3111, a plurality ofstaple cavities 3150 defined in the deck 3111, and a longitudinal slot3115 configured to receive a knife edge of a firing member, for example.The cartridge body 3110 can further comprise projections 3151 extendingfrom the deck 3111. In various instances, the projections 3151 cancomprise a pattern. In at least one instance, each projection 3151 cancomprise a dome configuration. A dome configuration can include ahemi-spherical protrusion, for example. In some instances, a dome couldculminate in a flat surface. As illustrated in FIG. 61, an array ofprojections 3151 can extend across the deck 3111 between thelongitudinal slot 3115 and the lateral sides 3112. The projections 3151can be arranged around the staple cavities 3150. The staple cavities3150 can be arranged in longitudinal rows and the projections 3151 canbe positioned intermediate the staple cavities 3150 within alongitudinal row of staple cavities 3150. The projections 3151 can bepositioned intermediate staple cavities 3150 in adjacent longitudinalrows of staple cavities 3150. The projections 3151 can be positionedintermediate the innermost rows of staple cavities 3150 and thelongitudinal channel 3115. The projections 3151 can be positionedintermediate the outermost rows of staple cavities 3150 and the lateraledges 3112. The projections 3151 can be positioned distally with respectto the distal-most staple cavities 3150. The projections 3151 can bepositioned proximally with respect to the proximal-most staple cavities3150. The projections 3151 may be positioned distally with respect tothe distal end of the longitudinal slot 3115. In other instances, theprojections 3151 may not be positioned distally with respect to thedistal end of the longitudinal slot 3115.

A staple cartridge 3200 is illustrated in FIG. 63. The staple cartridge3200 can include a cartridge body 3210. The cartridge body 3210 cancomprise a distal end 3213, a proximal end, and opposing lateral sides3212. Similar to the above, each lateral side 3212 may comprise acontiguous edge without notches defined therein. The cartridge body 3210can further include a deck 3211, a plurality of staple cavities 3250defined in the deck 3211, and a longitudinal slot 3215 configured toreceive a knife edge of a firing member, for example. The cartridge body3210 can further comprise projections 3251 extending from the deck 3211.Similar to projections 2051, projections 3251 can be configured toengage tissue positioned intermediate an anvil and the cartridge 3200and control the movement of the tissue relative to the cartridge 3200.In various instances, the projections 3251 can be configured to limit orprevent the flow of the tissue relative to the staple cartridge.Projections 3251 can be positioned at the proximal end and/or the distalend of the staple cavities 3250. In various instances, each projection3251 can comprise a cuff extending around an end of a staple cavity3250. In certain instances, each projection 3251 can comprise an arcuateridge extending around an end of a staple cavity 3250. In variousinstances, each projection 3251 can include one or more protrusions 3254defined thereon. The protrusions 3254 can provide a textured surfacewhich improves the grip or hold that the projections 3251 can apply tothe tissue positioned intermediate the anvil and the staple cartridge3200. In various instances, each protrusion 3254 can comprise a nub, forexample. In certain instances, each protrusion 3254 can comprise a dome.In at least one instance, the protrusions 3254 can be comprised of anelastomeric material, such as rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, and/orSantoprene, for example, molded onto the projections 3251 which can becomprised of plastic material, for example. In various instances, theprotrusions 3254 can be comprised of a pliable material and may nottraumatize the tissue compressed by the protrusions 3254. The cartridgebody 3210 can further comprise projections 3253. Similar to projections2053, the projections 3253 can be positioned at the distal ends of thedistal-most staple cavities 3250. Each projection 3253 can comprise adistal sloped surface, for example, configured to facilitate theinsertion of the tissue between the staple cartridge 3200 and the anvil.In various instances, the distal-most cavities 3250 can each include aprojection 3253 positioned at the distal end thereof and a projection3251 positioned at a proximal end thereof. Also similar to the above,each projection 3251 and/or projection 3253 can be configured to supportat least a portion of a staple removably stored in a staple cavity 3250.

A staple 2130 is illustrated in FIG. 24 which comprises a base 2131, afirst staple leg 2132 a extending from a first end of the base 2131, anda second staple leg 2132 b extending from a second end of the base 2131.The distance between the first end of the base 2131 and the second endof the base 2131 can be referred to as the crown distance, and isindicated by dimension E. The first staple leg 2132 a comprises a firstportion 2133 a extending from the base 2131 and a second portion 2134 aextending from the first portion 2133 a. The first portion 2133 a canextend at a first angle from the base 2131. This first angle can beindicated by an angle F, which is measured from the vertical direction.The second portion 2134 a can extend at a second angle from the firstportion 2133 a. This second angle can be indicated by an angle K, whichis also measured from the vertical direction. The reader will appreciatethat the first portion 2133 a and the second portion 2134 a are notcollinear; rather, the first portion 2133 a extends along a first axis2137 a and the second portion 2134 a extends along a second axis 2138 awhich is different than the first axis 2137 a. A joint 2135 ainterconnects the first portion 2133 a and the second portion 2134 a andis located a distance D measured from a support surface 2139 defined onthe bottom of the base 2131. The second portion 2134 a includes a legtip 2136 a which is located a distance C measured from the base supportsurface 2139. The first portion 2133 a can comprise a first cantileverextending from the base 2131 and the second portion 2134 a can comprisea second cantilever extending from the first portion 2133 a. Distance Dcan define the first cantilever distance and the difference betweendistance C and distance D can define the second cantilever distance.

The second staple leg 2132 b comprises a first portion 2133 b extendingfrom the base 2131 and a second portion 2134 b extending from the firstportion 2133 b. The first portion 2133 b can extend at a first anglefrom the base 2131. This first angle can be indicated by an angle G,which is measured from the vertical direction. Angle G may or may not bethe same as angle F, described above. When the second staple leg 2132 bis positioned distally with respect to the first staple leg 2132 a, inat least one instance, angle G can be smaller than angle F, for example.Alternatively, when the first staple leg 2132 a is positioned distallywith respect to the second staple leg 2132 b, in at least one instance,angle F can be smaller than angle G, for example. The second portion2134 b can extend at a second angle from the first portion 2133 b. Thissecond angle can be indicated by an angle H, which is also measured fromthe vertical direction. Angle H may or may not be the same as angle K,described above. When the second staple leg 2132 b is positioneddistally with respect to the first staple leg 2132 a, in at least oneinstance, angle H can be smaller than angle K, for example.Alternatively, when the first staple leg 2132 a is positioned distallywith respect to the second staple leg 2132 b, in at least one instance,angle K can be smaller than angle H, for example. The reader willappreciate that the first portion 2133 b and the second portion 2134 bare not collinear; rather, the first portion 2133 b extends along afirst axis 2137 b and the second portion 2134 b extends along a secondaxis 2138 b which is different than the first axis 2137 b. A joint 2135b interconnects the first portion 2133 b and the second portion 2134 band is located a distance B measured from a support surface 2139 definedon the bottom of the base 2131. Distance B may or may not be the same asdistance D, described above. The second portion 2134 b includes a legtip 2136 b which is located a distance A measured from the base supportsurface 2139. Distance A may or may not be the same distance as distanceC, described above. The first portion 2133 b can comprise a firstcantilever extending from the base 2131 and the second portion 2134 bcan comprise a second cantilever extending from the first portion 2133b. Distance B can define the first cantilever distance and thedifference between distance A and distance B can define the secondcantilever distance. The distance between the first tip 2136 a of thefirst staple leg 2132 a and the second tip 2136 b of the second stapleleg 2312 can define the spread distance between the staple legs 2132 a,2132 b and is indicated by distance J. Distance J may or may not bewider than the crown distance E, described above.

FIG. 25 depicts the staple 2130 positioned within a staple cavity 2150defined in a cartridge 2110 and supported by a staple driver 2040. Thereader will appreciate that the legs 2132 a and 2132 b of the staple2130 have been biased or flexed inwardly by the end walls of the staplecavity 2150. As a result, the distances A, B, C, D, E and J may havechanged and are represented by A′, B′, C′, D′, E′, and J′, respectively.The staple 2130 can be comprised of a resilient material, such asstainless steel and/or titanium, for example, and the changes to thesedistances can be reversed, or at least partially reversed, when thestaple 2130 is ejected from the staple cavity 2150. Similarly, theangles F, G, H, and K may have changed as a result of positioning thestaple 2130 in the staple cavity 2150 and are represented by angles F′,G′, H′, and K′, respectively. As described above, the staple 2130 can becomprised of a resilient material and the changes to these angles can bereversed, or at least partially reversed, when the staple 2130 isejected from the staple cavity 2150. FIG. 25 illustrates the staple 2130and the driver 2040 in an unfired position. In this unfired position,the tip 2136 a of the first staple leg 2132 a may extend above a decksurface 2111 of the cartridge 2110 and may be positioned within andprotected by a projection 2150 a extending from the deck surface 2111and, similarly, the tip 2136 b of the second staple leg 2132 b mayextend above the deck surface 2111 and may be positioned within andprotected by a projection 2150 b extending from the deck surface 2111.

A staple 2230 is illustrated in FIG. 26. The staple 2230 can comprise abase 2231, a first leg 2232 a extending from the base 2231, and a secondleg 2232 b extending from the base 2231. The first leg 2232 a cancomprise a first portion 2233 a connected to the base 2231 and a secondportion 2234 a extending from the first portion 2233 a. The second leg2232 b can comprise a first portion 2233 b connected to the base 2231and a second portion 2234 b extending from the first portion 2233 b. Thebase 2231, the first portion 2233 a, and the first portion 2233 b cancomprise a generally V-shaped configuration. In various instances, thesecond portion 2234 a can extend inwardly from the first portion 2233 aat a joint 2235 a and, similarly, the second portion 2234 b can extendinwardly from the first portion 2233 b at a joint 2235 b. The base 2231,the first leg 2232 a, and the second leg 2232 b can be configured andarranged such that the staple 2230 is symmetrical in its unformed, orunfired, configuration illustrated in FIG. 26. In various instances, thefirst leg 2232 a can be positioned distally with respect to the secondleg 2232 b. Alternatively, the first leg 2232 a can be positionedproximally with respect to the second leg 2232 b.

A staple 2330 is illustrated in FIG. 27. The staple 2330 can comprise abase 2331, a first leg 2332 a extending from the base 2331, and a secondleg 2332 b extending from the base 2331. The first leg 2332 a cancomprise a straight portion 2333 a connected to the base 2331 whichextends along an axis. The second leg 2332 b can comprise a firstportion 2333 b connected to the base 2331 and a second portion 2334 bextending from the first portion 2333 b. The base 2331, the straightportion 2333 a, and the first portion 2333 b can comprise a generallyV-shaped configuration. In various instances, the second portion 2334 bcan extend inwardly from the first portion 2333 b at a joint 2335 b. Thebase 2331, the first leg 2332 a, and the second leg 2332 b can beconfigured and arranged such that the staple 2330 is asymmetrical in itsunformed, or unfired, configuration illustrated in FIG. 27. In variousinstances, the first leg 2332 a can be positioned distally with respectto the second leg 2332 b. Alternatively, the first leg 2332 a can bepositioned proximally with respect to the second leg 2332 b.

A staple 2430 is illustrated in FIG. 28. The staple 2430 can comprise abase 2431, a first leg 2432 a extending from the base 2431, and a secondleg 2432 b extending from the base 2431. The first leg 2432 a cancomprise a first portion 2433 a connected to the base 2431 and a secondportion 2434 a extending from the first portion 2433 a. The second leg2432 b can comprise a first portion 2433 b connected to the base 2431and a second portion 2434 b extending from the first portion 2433 b. Thebase 2431, the first portion 2433 a, and the first portion 2433 b cancomprise a generally V-shaped configuration. In various instances, thesecond portion 2434 a can extend inwardly from the first portion 2433 aat a first angle at a joint 2435 a and, similarly, the second portion2434 b can extend inwardly from the first portion 2433 b at a secondangle at a joint 2435 b. The first angle and the second angle can bedifferent. The base 2431, the first leg 2432 a, and the second leg 2432b can be configured and arranged such that the staple 2430 isasymmetrical in its unformed, or unfired, configuration illustrated inFIG. 28. In various instances, the first leg 2432 a can be positioneddistally with respect to the second leg 2432 b. Alternatively, the firstleg 2432 a can be positioned proximally with respect to the second leg2432 b.

A staple 2530 is illustrated in FIG. 29. The staple 2530 can comprise abase 2531, a first leg 2532 a extending from the base 2531, and a secondleg 2532 b extending from the base 2531. The first leg 2532 a cancomprise a first portion 2533 a connected to the base 2531 and a secondportion 2534 a extending from the first portion 2533 a. The second leg2532 b can comprise a first portion 2533 b connected to the base 2531and a second portion 2534 b extending from the first portion 2533 b. Thebase 2531, the first portion 2533 a, and the first portion 2533 b cancomprise a generally V-shaped configuration. In various instances, thesecond portion 2534 a can extend inwardly from the first portion 2533 aat a first angle at a joint 2535 a and, similarly, the second portion2534 b can extend inwardly from the first portion 2533 b at a secondangle at a joint 2535 b. The first angle and the second angle can bedifferent. The base 2531, the first leg 2532 a, and the second leg 2532b can be configured and arranged such that the staple 2530 isasymmetrical in its unformed, or unfired, configuration illustrated inFIG. 29. The staple 2530 can be similar to the staple 2430 in manyrespects and, in at least one instance, can include a wider base 2531than the base 2431, for example. In certain instances, a wider staplebase can be accommodated within a given staple cavity when the stapleleg 2532 a and/or the staple leg 2532 b extend in directions which arecloser to the vertical direction. In various instances, the first leg2532 a can be positioned distally with respect to the second leg 2532 b.Alternatively, the first leg 2532 a can be positioned proximally withrespect to the second leg 2532 b.

As discussed above, the tissue captured between an anvil and a staplecartridge of a surgical end effector can move within or flow relative tothe end effector during use. As also discussed above, this movement orflow can be generally distal as the firing member of the end effector ismoved distally to fire the staples removably stored in the staplecartridge and incise the tissue. Were the firing member movedproximally, the movement or flow of the tissue would be generallyproximal. Nonetheless, the distal flow of the tissue can shift thestaples distally during the firing process. This phenomenon is depictedin FIG. 30. FIG. 30 illustrates a staple 2630 being ejected from astaple cavity 2650 defined in a cartridge body 2610. The staple 2630 isillustrated in at least partially fired position wherein a base 2631 ofthe staple 2630 is being moved upwardly toward the anvil 20 by a stapledriver 2640 and wherein legs 2632 a, 2632 b of the staple 2630 haveemerged from the staple cavity 2650 and have contacted the anvil 20. Asthe reader will appreciate, the staple cavity 2650 can include a firstprojection 2651 a and a first endwall 2652 a which are configured tosupport the first staple leg 2632 a and, similarly, a second projection2651 b and a second sidewall 2652 b which are configured to support thesecond staple leg 2632 b as the staple 2630 is ejected from the staplecavity 2650 by the driver 2640. As illustrated in FIG. 30, however, thestaple 2630 can be shifted distally during the firing process such thatthe staple leg 2632 a is shifted away from the first endwall 2652 a andthe staple leg 2632 b is shifted over the second projection 2651 b.Although the staple 2630 has been shifted distally, the first leg 2632 ahas still been received within a first forming cup 22 a of a staplepocket defined in the anvil 20 and the second leg 2632 b has still beenreceived within a second forming cup 22 b of the staple pocket. Althoughthe staple legs 2632 a, 2632 b may contact their respective forming cups22 a, 22 b, the distal shifting of the staple 2630 may not result in asymmetrically formed staple, as illustrated in FIG. 31, for example.FIG. 31 illustrates the staple 2630 lifted into a position above acartridge deck surface 2611 of the cartridge body 2610 by the stapledriver 2640 and deformed into its fully fired configuration.

As discussed above, symmetrical staples may be deformed asymmetricallyas a result of being shifted by the tissue captured within an endeffector. In various instances, a staple cartridge can utilizeasymmetrical staples, such as the asymmetrical staples illustrated inFIGS. 24 and 27-29, for example, which can compensate for this shifting.The staple legs of these asymmetrical staples can be configured in sucha way that, when the asymmetrical staples are shifted distally, they maybe shifted into an orientation which may cause them to be deformed intoa symmetrical, or an at least more symmetrical, fired configuration.FIG. 84 depicts a staple cartridge 4800 which comprises a cartridge body4810 including a plurality of staple cavities 4850 defined therein,asymmetrical staples positioned within the staple cavities 4850, and aplurality of drivers 4840 configured to eject the staples from thestaple cavities 4850. The cartridge body 4810 can include a distal end4813 and a proximal end 4816 wherein the staple cavities 4850 can bearranged in longitudinal rows defined in the cartridge body 4810. Thecartridge body 4810 is cross-sectioned in FIG. 84 in such a manner so asto depict one such longitudinal row of staple cavities 4850. In someinstances, the staples removably stored within a longitudinal row ofstaple cavities 4850 may have the same asymmetrical configuration while,in other instances, as illustrated in FIG. 84, the staples may havedifferent asymmetrical configurations. For instance, staples 4830′ arestored in the proximal end of the longitudinal row while staples 4830″are stored in distal end of the longitudinal row. Similar to the above,each staple 4830′ may include a first staple leg 4832 a′ and a secondstaple leg 4832 b′ wherein one or both of the staple legs can includeseveral segments, such as segments 4833 b′ and 4834 b′ of the secondstaple leg 4832 b′, for example. Also similar to the above, each staple4830″ may include a first staple leg 4832 a″ and a second staple leg4832 b″ wherein one or both of the staple legs can include severalsegments, such as segments 4833 a″ and 4834 a″ of the first staple leg4832 a″ and segments 4833 b″ and 4834 b″ of the second staple leg 4832b′, for example. Upon comparing staples 4830′ and staples 4830″, thereader will appreciate that the angle between the segments 4833 b″ and4834 b″ of the staples 4830″ is more pronounced, or larger, than theangle between the segments 4833 b′ and 4834 b′ of the staples 4830′.Stated another way, the distal staples 4830″ can be more asymmetricalthan the proximal staples 4830′. In some instances, the tissue movementat the distal end 4813 of the staple cartridge 4800 can be larger thanthe tissue movement at the proximal end 4816 and, correspondingly, theshift in the staple orientations can be larger at the distal end 4813 ofthe staple cartridge 4800 than the proximal end 4816. The largerasymmetry of the distal staples 4830″ can compensate for the largerstaple shifts as compared to the smaller asymmetry of the proximalstaples 4830′ which are subjected to smaller staple shifts. This is butone example and any suitable assortment of staples could be utilizedwithin a staple row to compensate for different staple shifts. It iscontemplated, for example, that the staples located at the proximal endof a longitudinal row could have a larger asymmetry than the stapleslocated at the distal end of the longitudinal row. It is alsocontemplated that a longitudinal row could utilize more than two groupsof asymmetrical staples.

As mentioned above, the tissue movement or flow at the distal end of anend effector can be larger than the tissue movement or flow at theproximal end of the end effector, in various instances. Such instancescan arise as a result of the distal movement of the firing member withinthe end effector. Although the firing member is configured toprogressively staple and incise the tissue as it is moved distally, thefiring member can also plow or push the tissue distally. This pushing orplowing effect may begin at the proximal end of the end effector and maycompound as the firing member is moved distally such that the largestpushing or plowing effect is realized at the distal end of the endeffector. Thus, further to the above, a gradient in staple asymmetriesmay be utilized within a longitudinal staple row to compensate for agradient in tissue movement and staple shifting.

In addition to or in lieu of the above, a staple cartridge could utilizeprojections having different heights to control the movement of tissuewithin an end effector. In various instances, the projections disclosedherein which extend from a deck of a staple cartridge can reduce the gapbetween the staple cartridge and the anvil of the end effector. As aresult, the projections can apply a larger localized pressure to thetissue positioned intermediate the anvil and the staple cartridge ascompared to embodiments without projections. In various instances,projections having a taller height can apply a larger compressive forceor pressure to the tissue while projections having a shorter height canapply a relatively smaller compressive force or pressure to the tissue.Along these lines, taller projections can provide greater control overtissue movement than shorter projections. As the reader will recall, thetissue movement at the proximal end of an end effector may be less thanthe tissue movement at the distal end of the end effector and, as aresult, referring again to FIG. 84, the staple cartridge 4800 canutilize shorter projections 4851′ at the proximal end 4816 of thecartridge body 4810 and taller projections 4851″ at the distal end 4813.In at least one instance, the shorter projections 4851′ can extend adistance 4855′ from a deck surface 4811 of the cartridge body 4810 andthe taller projections 4851″ can extend a distance 4855″ from theshorter projections 4851′. In certain instances, the projectionsextending from a cartridge body can comprise a gradient of heightsextending between a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge body.In at least one instance, as discussed above, the tallest projections ofthe gradient can be at the distal end of the cartridge body while theshortest projections of the gradient can be at the proximal end of thecartridge body. In other circumstances, the tallest projections of thegradient can be at the proximal end of the cartridge body while theshortest projections of the gradient can be at the distal end of thecartridge body.

As discussed above, tissue movement can shift staples as they are beingdeployed from a staple cartridge. In various instances, tallerprojections can provide greater control over such a shift than shorterprojections. More particularly, referring again to FIG. 84, the tallerdistal projections 4851″ can extend the staple pockets 4850 more thanthe shorter proximal projections 4851′ such that the staples 4830″ arecontrolled by the distal projections 4851″ for a longer distance thanthe staples 4830′ are controlled by the proximal projections 4851′. Thetaller projections 4851″ may also increase the distance in which thestaples 4830″ are lifted upwardly before the legs of the staples 4830″emerge from the cavities 4850 as compared to the distance in which thestaples 4830′ are lifted upwardly before the legs of the staples 4830′emerge from the cavities 4850. Such an arrangement can reduce thedistance and/or time in which the staples 4830″ are exposed to thelarger tissue movements at the distal end of the staple cartridge 4800,for example.

As discussed above, a staple cartridge can utilize more than oneconfiguration of staple within a longitudinal staple row. In variousinstances, a staple cartridge can utilize staples having differentconfigurations in different longitudinal staple rows. In at least oneinstance, a staple cartridge can include staples having a firstconfiguration in a first longitudinal staple row and a secondconfiguration in a second longitudinal staple row. Turning now to FIGS.49 and 49A, a staple cartridge 2700, for example, can comprise aplurality of longitudinal rows of staple cavities 2750 defined thereinwherein the staple cavities 2750 defined in a first row can each includea first staple 2730′ (FIG. 50) removably stored therein, the staplecavities 2750 defined in a second row can each include a second staple2730″ (FIG. 51) removably stored therein, and the staple cavities 2750defined in a third row can each include a third staple 2730′″ (FIG. 52)removably stored therein. The first staples 2730′ can be positioned inthe innermost longitudinal rows of staple cavities 2750, the secondstaples 2730″ can be positioned in the intermediate rows of staplecavities 2750, and the third staples 2730′″ can be positioned in theoutermost longitudinal rows of staple cavities 2750. When the firststaples 2730′, having a first height A′ (FIG. 50), and the secondstaples 2730″, having a second height A″ (FIG. 51) are in their unfiredconfigurations, the second staples 2730″ can be taller than the firststaples 2730′ Similarly, when the second staples 2730″ and the thirdstaples 2730′″, having a third height A′″ (FIG. 52), are in theirunfired configurations, the third staples 2730′″ can be taller than thesecond staples 2730″.

In various instances, each longitudinal row of staples can be supportedby a longitudinal row of staple drivers. For instance, a firstlongitudinal row of staple drivers can support a first row of firststaples 2730′, a second longitudinal row of staple drivers can support asecond row of second staples 2730″, and a third longitudinal row ofstaple drivers can support a third row of third staples 2730′″. Incertain instances, referring to FIGS. 49 and 49A, a row of stapledrivers 2742 can support a first row of first staples 2730′ and a secondrow of staples 2730″ such that each staple driver 2742 can support andfire at least one first staple 2730′ and at least one second staple2730″, for example. A row of staple drivers 2740 can support a third rowof third staples 2730′″ such that each staple driver 2740 can supportand fire at least one third staple 2730′″. The staple drivers 2742 caneach include a first cradle 2741′ configured to support a first staple2730′ and a second cradle 2741″ configured to support a second staple2730″ and, similarly, the staple drivers 2740 can each include a thirdcradle 2741′″ configured to support a third staple 2730′″. When thestaple drivers 2740 and 2742 are in their unfired positions, asillustrated in FIG. 49A, the first cradles 2741′ can be supported at afirst distance 2732′ from a first row of forming pockets 23 defined inthe anvil 20, the second cradles 2741″ can be supported at a seconddistance 2732″ from a second row of forming pockets 23 defined in theanvil 20, and the third cradles 2741′″ can be supported at a thirddistance 2732′″ from a third row of forming pockets 23 defined in theanvil 20. The first distance can be different than the second distanceand/or the second distance can be different than third distance. Asillustrated in FIG. 49, the first distance is shorter than the seconddistance and the second distance is shorter than the third distance. Thefirst staples 2730′, the second staples 2730″, and/or the third staples2730′″ can be deformed to different formed heights when the drivers 2740and 2742 are lifted toward the anvil 20 by a firing member 2760, forexample, to eject the staples 2730′, 2730″, and 2730′″ from the staplecavities 2750. For instance, the innermost row of staples, i.e., staples2730′, can be formed to a first formed height, the intermediate row ofstaples, i.e., staples 2730″, can be formed to a second formed height,and the outer row of staples, i.e., staples 2730′″, can be formed to athird formed height. The first height can be shorter than the secondheight and the second height can be shorter than the third height. U.S.Pat. No. 8,317,070, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES THAT PRODUCEFORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT LENGTHS, which issued on Nov. 27, 2012,is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In various instances, a cartridge deck of a staple cartridge can beflat. In such instances, the projections described herein can extendfrom the flat deck surface. In other instances, a cartridge deck of astaple cartridge can comprise a stepped surface including at least twostepped surfaces, for example. Referring again to FIGS. 49 and 49A, thecartridge body 2710 of the staple cartridge 2700 can include a firstdeck side positioned on a first side of a longitudinal knife channel2715 and a second deck side positioned on a second side of thelongitudinal knife channel 2715. Each deck side comprises a first step2711′, a second step 2711″, and a third step 2711′″, for example. Thefirst longitudinal row of staple cavities 2750 can be defined in thefirst step 2711′, the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 2750can be defined in the second step 2711″, and the third longitudinal rowof staple cavities 2750 can be defined in the third step 2711′″. Whenthe anvil 20 is in its closed position, a tissue contacting surface 21of the anvil 20 can be positioned adjacent to the deck surface of thecartridge body 2710. In such circumstances, the tissue contactingsurface 21 can be positioned a first distance 2712′ away from the firststep 2711′, a second distance 2712″ away from the second step 2711″, anda third distance 2712′″ away from the third step 2711′″. In variousinstances, the first distance, the second distance, and/or the thirddistance can be different. As illustrated in FIGS. 49 and 49A, the firstdistance 2712′ is shorter than the second distance 2712″ and the seconddistance 2712″ is shorter than the third distance 2712′″. In variousinstances, the first distance 2712′ can define a first tissue gapbetween the first step 2711′ and the anvil 20, the second distance 2712″can define a second tissue gap between the second step 2711″ and theanvil 20, and the third distance 2712′″ can define a third tissue gapbetween the third step 2711′″ and the anvil 20. The first tissue gappositioned over the innermost row of staple cavities 2750 can be smallerthan the third tissue gap positioned over the outermost row of staplecavities 2750. The second tissue gap positioned over the intermediaterow of staple cavities 2750 can be larger than the first tissue gap andsmaller than the third tissue gap.

Further to the above, and referring again to FIGS. 49 and 49A, a firstlongitudinal row of projections 2751′ can extend from the first step2711′, a second longitudinal row of projections 2751″ can extend fromthe second step 2711″, and a third longitudinal row of projections2751′″ can extend from the third step 2711′″. The first projections2751′ can be defined by a first height 2755′, the second projections2751″ can be defined by a second height 2755″, and the third projections2751′″ can be defined by a third height 2755′″. The first height, thesecond height, and/or the third height can be different. As illustratedin FIGS. 49 and 49A, the first height 2755′ can be shorter than thesecond height 2755″ and the second height 2755″ can be shorter than thethird height 2755′″. In various instances, the shortest longitudinal rowof projections, i.e., projections 2751′, can extend along the innermostrow of staple cavities 2750, the tallest longitudinal row ofprojections, i.e., projections 2751′″, can extend along the outermostrow of staple cavities 2750, and the projections having an intermediateheight, i.e., projections 2751″, can extend along the intermediate rowof staple cavities 2750. FIG. 76 illustrates an alternative embodimentin which the tallest longitudinal row of projections, i.e., projections2751′″, extends along the innermost row of staple cavities 2750, theshortest longitudinal row of projections, i.e., projections 2751′,extends along the outermost row of staple cavities 2750, and theprojections having an intermediate height, i.e., projections 2751″ canextend along the intermediate row of staple cavities 2750.

Referring again to FIG. 76, a staple cartridge 4000 can be similar tothe staple cartridge 2700, discussed above, in many respects. Similar tothe staple cartridge 2700, the staple cartridge 4000 can includelongitudinal rows of staple cavities 2750 comprising a first row ofstaple cavities 2750 including first staples 2730′ removably storedtherein, a second row of staple cavities 2750 including second staples2730″ removably stored therein, and a third row of staple cavities 2750including third staples 2730′″ removably stored therein. Contrary to thestaple cartridge 2700, the first row of staples 2730′ comprises theoutermost row of staples and the third row of staples 2730′″ comprisesthe innermost row of staples. The staple cartridge 4000 can includedrivers 4040 and 4042 which are configured to support the third staples2730′″ a third forming distance 2732′″ from the anvil 20, the secondstaples 2730″ a second forming distance 2732″ from the anvil 20, and thefirst staples 2730′ a first forming distance 2732′ from the anvil 20when the drivers 4040 and 4042 are in an unfired, or uplifted, position.The drivers 4040 and 4042 can deform the innermost row of staples, i.e.,staples 2730′″, to a third formed height, the intermediate row ofstaples, i.e., staples 2730″, to a second formed height, and theoutermost row of staples, i.e., staples 2730′ to a first formed height.The third formed height can be taller than the second formed height andthe second formed height can be taller than the first formed height, forexample. Similar to the staple cartridge 2700, the staple cartridge 4000can include a stepped deck surface; however, the third step 2711′ canextend along the innermost row of staple cavities 2750 and the firststep 2711′ can extend along the outermost row of staple cavities 2750.The first tissue gap defined by the first gap distance 2712′ can bepositioned laterally outwardly with respect to the second tissue gapdefined by the second gap distance 2712″ which can be positionedlaterally outwardly with respect to the third tissue gap defined by thethird gap distance 2712′″.

A staple cartridge 3600 is illustrated in FIGS. 70-72. The staplecartridge 3600 can include a cartridge body 3610. The cartridge body3610 can comprise a distal end 3613, a proximal end 3616, and opposinglateral sides 3612. The cartridge body 3610 can further include a deck3611, a plurality of staple cavities 3650 defined in the deck 3611, anda longitudinal slot 3615 configured to receive a knife edge of a firingmember, for example. The cartridge body 3610 can further compriseprojections 2051 and 2053 extending from the deck 3611. The cartridgebody 3610 can also comprise projections 3651 extending from the deck3611. Similar to projections 2051, the projections 3651 can beconfigured to engage tissue positioned intermediate an anvil and thecartridge 3600 and control the movement of the tissue relative to thecartridge 3600. In various instances, the projections 3651 can beconfigured to limit or prevent the flow of the tissue relative to thestaple cartridge. The projections 3651 can be positioned at the proximalend and/or the distal end of the staple cavities 3650. In variousinstances, each projection 3651 can comprise a cuff extending around anend of a staple cavity 3650. In certain instances, each projection 3651can comprise an arcuate ridge extending around an end of a staple cavity3650. In various instances, the projections 3651 may not be as tall asthe projections 2051 and/or the projections 2053. The taller projections2051 may apply a larger localized pressure to the tissue than theshorter projections 3651. In various instances, the projections 2051 mayprovide sufficient control over the tissue to hold the tissue inposition during the firing process. In such instances, the projections3651 may provide some additional control over the tissue in addition toprotecting and guiding the staples positioned in the staple cavities3650.

Further to the above, the deck 3611 can include steps 2711′, 2711″, and2711′″ which are configured to compress tissue positioned intermediatethe cartridge body 3610 and an anvil. In various instances, the thirdstep 2711′″ can comprise a lowermost deck surface which extends alongthe outermost rows of staple cavities 3650 and around the distal end3613 of the cartridge body 2610. The second step 2711″ can extendupwardly from the lowermost deck surface 2711′″ and the first step 2711′can extend upwardly from the second step 2711″. When the cartridge body3610 is slid relative to the tissue, the tissue can flow over the distalend 3613 of the cartridge body 3610 and onto the steps 2711′, 2711″, and2711′″. The cartridge body 3610 can further include ramps 3614′ and3614″ which are configured to assist the tissue in sliding onto thesteps 2711′ and 2711″, respectively. As also discussed above, the steps2711′, 2711″, and 2711′″ can be utilized to control the flow of tissuerelative to the staple cartridge 3600. Referring primarily to FIG. 71,the step 2711′ can, in various instances, define a smaller tissue gapbetween the cartridge 3600 and an anvil positioned opposite thecartridge 3600 as compared to a tissue gap defined between the step2711″ and the anvil and/or a tissue gap defined between the step 2711′″and the anvil. In the instances where the step 2711′ and the smallesttissue gap are adjacent the longitudinal slot 3615, the tissue adjacentthe longitudinal slot 3615 may be subjected to more compression, andmore control, than the tissue positioned laterally with respect to thestep 2711′. Such an embodiment could be advantageous for a variety ofreasons. For instance, a cutting member passing through the longitudinalslot 3615 may attempt to displace the tissue captured between the staplecartridge 3600 and the anvil and, as a result of the compression appliedby the innermost step 2711′, the displacement of the tissue may beprevented, mitigated, or reduced.

As discussed above in connection with the embodiment depicted in FIG.76, a staple cartridge can include a stepped deck surface in which thesmallest tissue gap is co-extensive with the outermost longitudinal rowsof staple cavities. In such instances, the smallest tissue gap may beadjacent the lateral sides of the cartridge and, as a result of thecompression applied by the outermost steps, the displacement of thetissue, especially the lateral displacement of the tissue, may beprevented, mitigated, or reduced. In certain instances, referring againto FIGS. 70-72, the lateral displacement of the tissue captured betweenthe staple cartridge 3600 and an anvil can be prevented, mitigated, orreduced by lateral sidewalls 3617. Each lateral sidewall 3617 can extendfrom a lateral side 3612 of the cartridge body 3610 and block thelateral movement of the tissue. The sidewalls 3617 can comprise anysuitable configuration. In at least one instance, each sidewall 3617 cancomprise a scalloped top surface, for example. Turning now to FIG. 73, astaple cartridge 3700 can include a cartridge body 3710 includinglateral sidewalls 3717 extending from lateral sides 3712 of thecartridge body 3710. In at least one instance, each lateral sidewall3717 can include a straight top surface, for example.

Turning now to FIG. 74, a staple cartridge 3800 can include a cartridgebody 3810 comprising a distal end 3813 and staple cavities 3850. Similarto the above, the cartridge body 3810 can include projections 2053 atthe distal ends of the distal-most staple cavities 3850. Also similar tothe above, the cartridge body 3810 can include projections 2051 whichcan surround the proximal end and/or the distal end of at least some ofthe staple cavities 3850. In addition to or in lieu of the projections2051 and 2053, the staple cartridge body 3810 can further includeprojections 3851 extending therefrom. Each projection 3851 can extendaround an end of more than one staple cavity 3850. In at least oneinstance, each projection 3851 can extend around an end of a staplecavity 3850 in an innermost row of staple cavities 3850, an end of astaple cavity 3850 in an outermost row of staple cavities 3850, and/oran end of a staple cavity 3850 in an intermediate row of staplecavities, for example. In at least one such instance, a first portion ofa projection 3851 could extend a first staple cavity 3850 above thecartridge deck surface, a second portion of the projection 3851 couldextend a second staple cavity 3850 above the cartridge deck surface, anda third portion of the projection 3851 could extend a third staplecavity 3850 above the cartridge deck surface. The first portion of theprojection 3851 can protect, guide, and/or hold a first staple, thesecond portion can protect, guide, and/or hold a second staple, and thethird portion can protect, guide, and/or hold a third staple. In variousinstances, a projection 3851 can extend between the longitudinal slot3615 defined in the cartridge body 3810 and a lateral sidewall 3717extending from the cartridge body 3810. In at least one such instance, aprojection 3851 can extend across a first step 2711′, a second step2711″, and/or a third step 2711′″. Stated another way, a projection 3851can extend across changes in elevation in the deck of the cartridge body3810. In some instances, the top, or tissue-engaging, surface of theprojection 3851 can be flat despite the change in elevation of thecartridge deck surface. In other instances, the top, or tissue-engaging,surface of the projection 3851 may also change in elevation. In at leastone such instance, the top surface of the projection 3851 can increasein elevation when the deck surface increases in elevation and decreasein elevation when the deck surface decreases in elevation, for example.In other instances, the top surface of the projection 3851 can decreasein elevation when the deck surface increases in elevation and increasein elevation when the deck surface decreases in elevation, for example.

In various instances, referring again to FIG. 74, the cartridge body3810 can include transverse projections, or ribs, 3817 extendingtherefrom. A transverse projection 3817 can extend transversely to thelongitudinal slot 3615 and/or the lateral sidewalls 3717. In at leastone instance, a transverse projection 3817 can extend in a directionwhich is perpendicular to the longitudinal slot 3615 and/or the lateralsidewalls 3717. In at least one instance, the transverse projections3817 can extend between the projections 3851 and the sidewalls 3717. Thetransverse projections 3817 can also extend between the projections 2051and the sidewalls 3717 and, similarly, between the projections 2053 andthe sidewalls 3717. In some instances, the projections 3817 and thesidewalls 3717 can be the same height. In other instances, theprojections 3817 and the sidewalls 3717 can be different heights.Referring to FIG. 74, the sidewalls 3717 are taller than the projections3817, for example. In any event, the transverse projections 3817 can beconfigured to limit or prevent the flow of the tissue relative to thestaple cartridge 3800, especially in the distal or longitudinaldirection, for example.

Turning now to FIG. 81, a staple cartridge 4500 can include a cartridgebody 4510 comprising a deck 4511, a proximal end, a distal end 4513, anda longitudinal knife slot 3615 extending between the proximal end andthe distal end 4513. The cartridge body 4510 can include the slopedtransition 2014, projections 2051, 2053, and 3651 at least partiallysurrounding staple cavities 3650, and lateral sidewalls 3617, amongother features. In fact, various embodiments are envisioned in which thetissue control features of various embodiments disclosed herein can becombined with the tissue control features of other embodiments disclosedherein. Moreover, various embodiments are disclosed herein wherein allof the staple cavities defined in a staple cartridge can includeprojections at least partially surrounding the staple cavities. Otherembodiments are envisioned wherein less than all of the staple cavitiesinclude projections at least partially surrounding the staple cavities.Turning now to FIG. 82, a staple cartridge 4600 can include a cartridgebody 4610 comprising a deck 4611, a proximal end 4616, a distal end4613, and a longitudinal knife slot 4615 extending between the proximalend 4616 and the distal end 4613. The cartridge body 4610 can includeprojections 2051 and 2053 extending from the deck 4611 and at leastpartially surrounding some of the staple cavities 4650. For instance,the proximal and/or distal ends of the staple cavities 4650 defined inthe distal end 4613 of the staple cartridge 4600 can be at leastpartially surrounded by the projections 2051 and, similarly, theproximal and/or distal ends of the staple cavities 4650 defined in theproximal end 4616 of the staple cartridge 4600 can be at least partiallysurrounded by the projections 2051. In such an embodiment, the staplecavities 4650 defined in the middle of the cartridge body 4610, i.e.,between the proximal end 4616 and the distal end 4613 of the staplecartridge may not be surrounded by the projections 2051 and/or any otherprojections, for example. Turning now to FIG. 83, a staple cartridge4700 can include a cartridge body 4710 comprising a deck 4711, aproximal end, and a distal end 4713. The cartridge body 4710 can includea plurality of staple cavities 4750 defined therein. The distal-moststaple cavities 4750 can comprise a distal end surrounded by aprojection 2053 and a proximal end surrounded by a projection 2051.Other staple cavities 4750 can comprise a distal end surrounded by aprojection 2051 and a proximal end that is not surrounded by aprojection. Certain staple cavities 4750 could comprise a proximal endsurrounded by a projection 2051 and a distal end that is not surroundedby a projection.

As discussed above, a projection extending from a deck surface can beconfigured to protect, support, and/or guide a staple positioned withina staple pocket. FIG. 77 depicts a staple cartridge 4100 including acartridge body 4110 including a deck 4111, a staple cavity 4150 definedin the deck 4111, and a projection 4151 extending from the deck 4111.The staple cartridge 4100 can further comprise a staple 4130 removablypositioned in the staple cavity 4150. The projection 4151 can include aslot 4154 defined therein which can be configured to support a leg 4132of the staple 4130 when the staple 4130 is stored in the staple cavity4150 and/or when the staple 4130 is being ejected from the staple cavity4150. The slot 4154 can comprise an extension of a staple cavity endwall 4152. The staple cavity end wall 4152 and/or the slot 4154 canco-operate to support the staple leg 4132 when the staple 4130 is in anunfired position. As the staple 4130 is ejected from the cavity 4150,the leg 4132 can emerge from the projection 4151, as illustrated in FIG.77. In such circumstances, the end wall 4152 and/or the slot 4154 cansupport the portion of the staple 4130 that has not yet emerged from thestaple cavity 4150. In certain instances, the projection 4151 may notprovide lateral support to the staple leg 4132. More particularly,referring to FIG. 77, the slot 4154 can comprise opposing lateral sides4155 which can be spaced apart from, and not in contact with, the sidesof the staple leg 4132. In various instances, the staple 4130 may bedeformed into its fully deformed configuration while the staple 4130 isstill at least partially positioned in the staple cavity 4150. In atleast one such instance, the end wall 4152 and/or the slot 4154 maysupport the staple 4130 throughout the entire forming process of thestaple 4130. In other instances, the staple 4130 may reach its fullydeformed configuration after it has been lifted out of the slot 4154 andabove the projection 4151. In such circumstances, the end wall 4152 andthe slot 4154 may not support the staple 4130 during the entire formingprocess thereof.

FIG. 78 depicts a staple cartridge 4200 including a cartridge body 4210including a deck 4211, a staple cavity 4250 defined in the deck 4211,and a projection 4251 extending from the deck 4211. The staple cartridge4200 can further comprise a staple 4130 removably positioned in thestaple cavity 4250. The projection 4251 can include a slot 4254 definedtherein which can be configured to support a leg 4132 of the staple 4130when the staple 4130 is stored in the staple cavity 4250 and/or when thestaple 4130 is being ejected from the staple cavity 4250. The slot 4254can comprise an extension of a staple cavity end wall 4252. The staplecavity end wall 4252 and/or the slot 4254 can co-operate to support thestaple leg 4132 when the staple 4130 is in an unfired position. As thestaple 4130 is ejected from the cavity 4250, the leg 4132 can emergefrom the projection 4251, as illustrated in FIG. 78. In suchcircumstances, the end wall 4252 and/or the slot 4254 can support theportion of the staple 4130 that has not yet emerged from the staplecavity 4250. In certain instances, the projection 4251 may providelateral support to the staple leg 4132. More particularly, referring toFIG. 78, the slot 4254 can comprise opposing lateral sides 4255 whichcan be in contact with the sides of the staple leg 4132. In variousinstances, the staple 4130 may be deformed into its fully deformedconfiguration while the staple 4130 is still at least partiallypositioned in the staple cavity 4250. In at least one such instance, theend wall 4252 and/or the slot 4254 may support the staple 4130throughout the entire forming process of the staple 4130. In otherinstances, the staple 4130 may reach its fully deformed configurationafter it has been lifted out of the slot 4254 and above the projection4251. In such circumstances, the end wall 4252 and the slot 4254 may notsupport the staple 4130 during the entire forming process thereof.

FIG. 79 depicts a staple cartridge 4300 including a cartridge body 4310including a deck 4311, a staple cavity 4350 defined in the deck 4311,and projections 4351 extending from the deck 4311. The staple cartridge4300 can further comprise a staple 4130 removably positioned in thestaple cavity 4350. Each projection 4351 can include a tapered slot 4354defined therein which can be configured to support a leg 4132 of thestaple 4130 when the staple 4130 is stored in the staple cavity 4350and/or when the staple 4130 is being ejected from the staple cavity4350. Each slot 4354 can comprise an extension of a staple cavity endwall 4352 and can include sidewalls 4355. The sidewalls 4355 of eachslot 4354 can co-operate to support the staple leg 4132 when the staple4130 is in an unfired position. As the reader will appreciate from FIG.79, the staple leg 4132 may not be supported by the end wall 4352. Asthe staple 4130 is ejected from the cavity 4350, the legs 4132 canemerge from the projections 4351. In such circumstances, the sidewalls4355 of the slots 4354 can support the portion of the staple 4130 thathas not yet emerged from the staple cavity 4350. In certain instances,the sidewalls 4155 of the projections 4351 may provide lateral supportto the staple legs 4132. In various instances, the staple 4130 may bedeformed into its fully deformed configuration while the staple 4130 isstill at least partially positioned in the staple cavity 4350. In atleast one such instance, the slots 4354 may support the staple 4130throughout the entire forming process of the staple 4130. In otherinstances, the staple 4130 may reach its fully deformed configurationafter it has been lifted out of the slots 4354 and above the projections4351. In such circumstances, the slots 4354 may not support the staple4130 during the entire forming process thereof.

FIG. 80 depicts a staple cartridge 4400 including a cartridge body 4410including a deck 4411, a staple cavity 4450 defined in the deck 4411,and projections 4451 a and 4451 b extending from the deck 4411. Thestaple cartridge 4400 can further comprise a staple 4130, for example,removably positioned in the staple cavity 4450. The staple cavity 4450can comprise a first end wall 4452 a configured to support and guide afirst leg of the staple 4130 and a second end wall 4452 b configured tosupport and guide a second leg of the staple 4130. The projection 4451 acan extend from the deck 4411 a first distance 4455 a and the projection4451 b can extend from the deck 4411 a second distance 4455 b above theprojection 4451 a. In various instances, as a result, the projection4451 a can support and guide the first staple leg a first distance andthe projection 4451 b can support and guide the second staple leg asecond distance, wherein the second distance can be longer than thefirst distance. In certain instances, the projection 4451 b can bepositioned at the distal end of the staple cavity 4450 and theprojection 4451 a can be positioned at the proximal end of the staplecavity 4450. Such an embodiment may be advantageous when the staple 4130is pushed distally by the distal movement of the firing member and thetissue knife, as discussed above. Alternatively, the projection 4451 bcan be positioned at the proximal end of the staple cavity 4450 and theprojection 4451 a can be positioned at the distal end of the staplecavity 4450. In any event, a projection 4451 b can comprise a steppedconfiguration, for example. In at least one instance, the projection4451 b can comprise a first portion defined by the height 4455 a and asecond portion defined by the height 4455 b, for example.

FIGS. 85A-85C illustrate a staple cartridge 4900 comprising a cartridgebody 4910 including a deck 4911. In various embodiments, the cartridgebody 4910 can be comprised of a flexible material. In certainembodiments, the cartridge body 4910 can be comprised of a rigidmaterial and a flexible material, wherein at least the deck 4911 can becomprised of the flexible material. A flexible material could includecertain plastic materials, such as polypropylene, for example, and/or anelastomeric material, such as rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, and/orSantoprene, for example. In various instances, the deck 4911 can becomprised of a pliable material. In any event, the deck 4911 can includea projection 4951 extending therefrom. Similar to the above, theprojection 4951 can protect, support, and/or guide a staple 4130. Alsosimilar to the above, the projection 4951 can prevent or at least limitthe movement of tissue relative to the staple cartridge 4900. When ananvil is moved into a closed position opposite the staple cartridge 4900or, alternatively, the staple cartridge 4900 is moved into a closedposition relative to an anvil, the projection 4951 can be compressed bythe tissue positioned intermediate the anvil and the staple cartridge4900. FIGS. 85A-85C depict a sequence of events in which the projection4951 is subjected in increasing compressive forces. FIG. 85A depicts theprojection 4951 in an uncompressed configuration. In this configuration,a compressive or interference fit can be present between the projection4951 and the staple leg of the staple 4130. FIG. 85B depicts theprojection 4951 in a compressed configuration in response to acompressive force being applied thereto. Upon comparing FIGS. 85A and85B, it can be appreciated that a top surface 4956 of the projection4951 has been pushed downwardly toward the deck 4911 a distance 4955 andthat the shape of the projection 4951 has become distorted. In thisconfiguration, the projection 4951 can grip the staple leg of the staple4130 and/or hold the staple leg in position. FIG. 85C depicts a largercompressive force being applied to the projection 4951. Upon comparingFIGS. 85B and 85C, it can be appreciated that the top surface 4956 ofthe projection 4951 has been pushed further downwardly toward the deck4911 and that the shape of the projection 4951 has become furtherdistorted. Moreover, in this configuration, the projection 4951 canincrease the gripping force being applied to the staple leg.

FIGS. 86A and 86B illustrate a staple cartridge 5000 comprising acartridge body 5010 including a deck 5011. The cartridge body 5010 canfurther comprise a plurality of staple cavities 5050 defined therein anda plurality of projections 5051 extending from the deck 5011 which areconfigured to protect, support, and/or guide staples 5030 removablypositioned in the staple cavities 5050. Similar to the above, the staplecartridge 5000 can further include staple drivers 5040 and 5042 whichare configured to support and lift the staples 5030 between an unfiredposition and a fired position. FIGS. 86A and 86B illustrated the staples5030 in a partially-fired position wherein the tips of the staples 5030have partially emerged from the projections 5051. Similar to the above,the cartridge body 5010 can be comprised of a flexible material. Aflexible material could include certain plastic materials, such aspolypropylene, for example, and/or an elastomeric material, such asrubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, and/or Santoprene, for example. Invarious instances, the cartridge body 5010 can be comprised of a pliablematerial. When a compressive force is applied to the cartridge body5010, the cartridge body 5010 can flex, as illustrated in FIG. 86B. Whenthe deck 5011 of the cartridge body 5010 is flexed downwardly, asillustrated in FIG. 86B, the projections 5051 can be deflecteddownwardly a distance 5055. In this way, the projections 5051 can bemovable.

Various embodiments are envisioned in which projections extending from astaple cartridge deck can move relative to the deck. In at least oneinstance, a projection can move between a first position in which theprojection extends a staple cavity above the deck and a second, orlowered, position in which the projection may or may not extend thestaple cavity above the deck. In various instances, one or moreprojections extending from a deck can be collapsible. A collapsibleprojection can move between a first position in which the projectionextends a staple cavity above the deck and a second, or collapsed,position in which the projection may or may not extend the staple cavityabove the deck. In at least one instance, the collapsible projectionsmay resiliently return to their uncollapsed configuration while, incertain instances, the projections may not completely return to theiruncollapsed configuration. In various instances, one or more projectionsextending from a deck can be crushable. A crushable projection can movebetween a first position in which the projection extends a staple cavityabove the deck and a second, or crushed, position in which theprojection may or may not extend the staple cavity above the deck. Thecrushable projections may not return to their uncrushed configuration.

As discussed above, the staples of a staple cartridge can be supportedby staple drivers when the staples are removably stored in the staplecartridge. As also discussed above, the staple drivers can be liftedupwardly by a firing member, such as firing member 2760, for example. Invarious instances, turning now to FIGS. 53 and 54, the firing member canbe configured to advance a staple sled, such as staple sled 2870, forexample, distally to lift the staple drivers and the staples toward theanvil. The staple sled 2870 can comprise a body 2871 and a shoulder 2876which can be configured to be engaged by and support the firing member2760. The sled 2870 can further comprise ramped or inclined surfaces2872, 2873, 2874, and/or 2875, for example, which are configured toslide under the staple drivers and lift the staple drivers upwardly asthe sled 2870 slides under the staple drivers. In various instances,further to the above, the first ramp surface 2872 can be configured tocontact and lift staple drivers in a first row of staple drivers, thesecond ramp surface 2873 can be configured to contact and lift stapledrivers in a second row of staple drivers, the third ramp surface 2874can be configured to contact and lift staple drivers in a third row ofstaple drivers, and the fourth ramp surface 2875 can be configured tocontact and lift staple drivers in a fourth row of staple drivers, forexample.

In various instances, further to the above, the sled 2870 can beconfigured to simultaneously lift a staple driver in four rows of stapledrivers. In some instances, the sled 2870 can synchronously lift thestaple drivers in the four rows of staple drivers. In such instances,the distal ends of the four ramp surfaces 2872, 2873, 2874, and 2875 canbe configured to contact the four staple drivers at the same time andlift them along four parallel lift surfaces such that the staple driversreach the same height at the same time. Also, in such instances, theramp surfaces 2872, 2873, 2874, and 2875 can all have the same length.In other instances, the sled 2870 can simultaneously lift a stapledriver in each of the four rows of staple drivers, albeit in a staggeredmanner. Referring primarily to FIG. 54, the distal end 2872 a of thefirst ramp 2872 can be aligned with the distal end 2875 a of the fourthramp 2875. In various instances, the first ramp 2872 can be parallel tothe fourth ramp 2875. Moreover, the first ramp 2872 can define a firstramp length which is the same as a fourth ramp length defined by thefourth ramp 2875. The distal end 2873 a of the second ramp 2873 can bepositioned distally with respect to the distal end 2872 a of the firstramp 2872 and the distal end 2875 a of the fourth ramp 2875 by adistance indicated by distance 2879 a. The second ramp 2873 may not beparallel to the first ramp 2872 and/or the fourth ramp 2875. Moreover,the second ramp 2873 can define a second ramp length which is longerthan the first ramp length and/or the fourth ramp length. The distal end2874 a of the third ramp 2874 can be positioned distally with respect tothe distal end 2873 a of the second ramp 2873 by a distance indicated bydistance 2878 a. The third ramp 2874 may not be parallel to the firstramp 2872, the second ramp 2873, and/or the fourth ramp 2875. Moreover,the third ramp 2874 can define a third ramp length which is longer thanthe first ramp length, the second ramp length, and/or the fourth ramplength.

When a sled contacts a staple driver, further to the above, areactionary force and/or torque can be created between the sled and thestaple driver which can cause the sled and/or the staple driver torotate in response to the reactionary force and/or torque. Thearrangement of ramps depicted in FIGS. 53 and 54 can prevent, or atleast limit, the rotation of the sled 2870 when the sled 2870 contactsand lifts the staple drivers. Moreover, the sled 2870 can include astabilizing member 2877 which extends distally to stabilize the sled2870 and prevent and/or inhibit the rocking or rotation of the sled2870. The stabilizing member 2877 can extend distally with respect tothe distal ends 2872 a, 2873 a, 2874 a, and 2875 a of the ramps 2872,2873, 2874, and 2875, respectively.

Turning now to FIGS. 54A-54D, the sled 2870 can be configured to deploystaples from staple cartridge 2000, for example, when the sled 2870 ismoved from the proximal end 2016 of the staple cartridge 2000 toward thedistal end 2013 of the staple cartridge 2000. The staple cartridge 2000and/or the sled 2870 can include features which can releasably hold thesled 2870 in the proximal end 2016 of the staple cartridge 2000. Invarious instances, the cartridge body 2010 of the staple cartridge 2000can include detents 2019 configured to engage the sled 2870 andreleasably hold the sled 2870 in its proximal, unfired position, asillustrated in FIG. 54A. In at least one instance, referring primarilyto FIGS. 54B and 54C, each detent 2019 can comprise a rib, or ridge,which extends inwardly into the longitudinal slot 2015. The ridge canextend vertically within the longitudinal slot 2015, for example.Further to the above, the body 2871 of sled 2870 can be positionedwithin the longitudinal slot 2015 and can be engaged with the detents2019 when the sled 2870 is in its proximal, unfired position, asillustrated in FIG. 54A. In various instances, the detents 2019 candefine a gap therebetween which is smaller than the width of the body2871. In such instances, an interference fit can be present between thedetents 2019 and the body 2871 of the sled 2870 such that the detents2019 can grip and retain the sled 2870 in position. When a firing memberpushes the sled 2870 distally, the body 2871 can be pushed out ofengagement with the detents 2019 and the sled 2870 can be advanceddistally to fire the staples stored in the staple cartridge 2000. Invarious instances, referring now to FIG. 54D, the body 2871 of the sled2870 can comprise grooves 2018 defined therein which can be configuredto releasably receive the detents 2019. The grooves 2018 and the detents2019, when aligned, can define the proximal, unfired position of thesled 2870. Although two sets of grooves 2018 and detents 2019 arepresent in the illustrated embodiment, a single set could be utilized toreleasably hold the sled 2870 in position. In other instances, more thantwo sets of grooves 2018 and detents 2019 could be utilized. In someinstances, the detents 2019 could extend from the body 2871 of the sled2870 and the grooves 2018 could be defined in the cartridge body 2010.

As discussed above, a cartridge body can comprise a tissue-supportingdeck and projections extending from the deck which can be configured to,one, control the flow of tissue relative to the cartridge body, two,extend the staple cavities defined in the cartridge body above the deckand/or, three, support, protect, and/or guide the staples in the staplecavities. In various instances, the cartridge body and the projectionscan be comprised of a unitary piece of material. In at least oneinstance, the projections can be integrally formed with the cartridgebody. The cartridge body and the projections can be comprised of aplastic material and can be formed during an injection molding process,for example. In certain instances, the projections can be assembled tothe cartridge body. In at least one instance, the projections can beadhered to the cartridge body, for example. The cartridge body and theprojections can be comprised of the same material or differentmaterials. In at least one instance, the cartridge body can be comprisedof a plastic material and the projections can be formed from anelastomeric material, such as rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, and/orSantoprene, for example. In various instances, the projections can becomprised of a pliable material and may not traumatize the tissuecompressed by the projections. Projections 3051 (FIG. 60) and/orprojections 3151 (FIG. 61), for example, can be comprised of anelastomeric material, such as rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, and/orSantoprene, for example. In at least one instance, the cartridge bodycan be formed during a plastic injection molding process and theprojections can be formed on the cartridge body during a second moldingprocess using a material which is more pliable than the materialcomprising the cartridge body. In various instances, the projections3051 and/or 3151, for example, can comprise a textured deck surface. Incertain instances, the projections 3051 and/or 3151, for example, can becomprised of a material which has a higher coefficient of friction thanthe cartridge body. Such embodiments can improve the gripping forcebetween the cartridge body and the tissue.

In various instances, the projections extending from a cartridge bodycan be static and they may not move relative to the cartridge body. Incertain instances, as discussed above, the projections can be flexibleand can deform relative to the cartridge body. In some instances, asalso discussed above, the cartridge body can be flexible which canpermit the projections to move when the cartridge body deflects. Astaple cartridge can comprise projections which can be extended relativeto the cartridge body. Turning now to FIG. 75, a staple cartridge 3900can comprise a cartridge body 3910 comprising a plurality of cavities3950 defined therein. In various instances, a cavity 3950 can comprise adeployable tissue-engaging member 3940 positioned therein. Each member3940 can be moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position.When a member 3940 is in its undeployed position, the member 3940 maynot extend above the deck 3911 and, when the member 3940 is in itsdeployed position, the member 3940 may extend above the deck 3911.Alternatively, a member 3940 can extend above the deck 3911 when it isin its undeployed position. In at least one such embodiment, thetissue-engaging member 3940 can engage the tissue in its undeployedposition and its deployed position. In any event, the member 3940 cancomprise projections 3951 extending therefrom which can be configured toengage, stabilize, and/or compress tissue positioned intermediate theanvil 20 and the cartridge 3900.

Referring again to FIG. 75, the members 3940 can be deployed by a sled3970 which traverses the cartridge body 3910 longitudinally from aproximal end to a distal end thereof. The sled 3970 can comprise a ramp3972 which is configured to sequentially engage the members 3940 andlift the members 3940 between their undeployed positions and theirdeployed positions. In at least one instance, each member 3940 cancomprise a beveled or angled surface 3942 which can be contacted by theramp 3972. The ramp 3972 can slide underneath the members 3940 and liftthe members 3940 onto a surface 3979. The surface 3979 can hold themembers 3940 in their deployed positions as the sled 3970 is advanceddistally by a firing member, such as firing member 2760, for example. Asillustrated in FIG. 75, the surface 3979 can be long enough to supportseveral members 3940 thereon. Moreover, the surface 3979 can be longenough the support the members 3940 during the staple forming and tissuecutting processes performed by the firing member 2760. In at least oneinstance, the surface 3979 can lead, or be positioned distally withrespect to, the knife edge 2761 of the firing member 2760. In suchinstances, the members 3940 can hold the tissue positioned distally withrespect to the knife edge 2761 as the knife edge 2761 is moved distallythrough the tissue. Stated another way, the tissue-engaging members 3940can be deployed to grip a portion of tissue in advance of the tissueportion being stapled and/or incised. The cavities 3950 can beconfigured to support and guide the members 3940 and inhibit the members3940 from being translated laterally or rotated within the cavities3950. The proximal end of the surface 3979 may be configured andarranged such that the sled 3970 can release a member 3940 once theknife edge 2761 has passed the member 3940. In at least one suchinstance, the surface 3979 may no longer support a member 3940 once theknife edge 2761 has slid by the member 3940.

Further to the above, referring again to FIG. 75, the cavities 3950 canbe arranged in longitudinal rows. For instance, the cavities 3950 can bearranged in six longitudinal rows comprising two innermost rows, twooutermost rows, and a row positioned intermediate each innermost row andoutermost row. Other embodiments are envisioned in which the cavities3950 are arranged in less than six rows or more than six rows. In anyevent, some of the cavities 3950 defined in the cartridge body 3910 canbe configured to support and guide a member 3940, as discussed above,while some of the cavities 3950 can contain a staple, such as staple2630, for example removably stored therein. The sled 3970 can beconfigured to deploy the members 3940 and, in addition, fire thestaples. In at least one such instance, the sled 3970 can furthercomprise at least one ramp 2873 including a ramp surface 3971 configuredto lift staple drivers 2640, for example, toward the anvil 20 which, asdiscussed above, can fire the staples 2630. In various instances, theramp 3972 can lead the ramp 2873. In such instances, the ramp 3972 candeploy a member 3940 into its deployed position before the ramp 2873lifts the staples adjacent the member 3940 into their fully-formedpositions. Various embodiments are envisioned in which the outermostrows of cavities 3950 include tissue-engaging members 3940 storedtherein and the innermost rows and the intermediate rows of cavities3950 include staples removably stored therein. Such an embodiment couldinclude two rows of staples and one row of tissue-engaging members 3940on each side of the longitudinal knife slot defined in the cartridgebody. Other embodiments are envisioned in which any suitable arrangementof members 3940 and staples could be utilized.

As discussed above, embodiments are envisioned in which a staplecartridge can include rows of staples and rows of deployabletissue-engaging members. In at least one embodiment, the deployabletissue-engaging members may not be interspersed within a staple row.Other embodiments are envisioned in which deployable tissue-engagingmembers are dispersed within a staple row. As also discussed above,embodiments are envisioned in which staple cavities are used to storedeployable tissue-engaging members. Certain embodiments are envisionedin which the tissue-engaging members are not stored within staplecavities and can be stored within a row of cavities adjacent to thestaple cavities.

FIGS. 90-93 illustrate another embodiment comprising deployabletissue-engaging projections. A staple cartridge 5300, for example, cancomprise a cartridge body 5310 including a deck 5311 and a plurality ofstaple cavities 5350 defined therein. The staple cartridge 5310 caninclude staples 5330 removably stored within the staple cavities 5350and a plurality of drivers 5340 configured to eject the staples 5330from the staple cavities 5350. The staple cartridge 5310 can furtherinclude one or more deployable projections 5351 removably stored in thestaple cavities 5350, as will be discussed in greater detail furtherbelow. Each driver 5340 can include a cradle 5341 configured to supporta staple 5330 and, in addition, a drive surface 5342 configured to beengaged by a sled, such as sled 5370, for example. Similar to the above,the sled 5370 can be configured to lift the drivers 5340 between anundeployed position and a deployed position. FIG. 92 depicts the drivers5340 and the staples 5330 in their undeployed positions. Referringprimarily to FIG. 93, the drivers 5340 can be configured to lift thedeployable projections 5351 between an undeployed position and adeployed position. In at least one such instance, referring primarily toFIGS. 90 and 91, each driver 5340 can be assembled between a firstdeployable projection 5351 positioned around a proximal end of thedriver 5340 and a second deployable projection 5351 positioned around adistal end of the driver 5340 wherein the upward movement of the driver5340 can be transferred to the deployable projections 5351 to move theprojections 5351 to their deployed positions. In at least one instance,the projections 5351 can be frictionally engaged with the drivers 5340.When the drivers 5340 are lifted upwardly, the friction fit between thedrivers 5340 and the projections 5351 can lift the projections 5351upwardly. Each projection 5351 can comprise a tissue-engaging portion5352 which can be configured to contact the tissue and apply acompressive force to the tissue. In various instances, a projection 5351may apply a compressive force to the tissue until the compressive forceexceeds the static friction force between the projection 5351 and thedriver 5340 moving the projection 5351 upwardly. At such point, thedriver 5340 can move or slip relative to the projection 5351. Statedanother way, the driver 5340 can decouple from the projections 5341associated therewith.

In various instances, referring again to FIG. 93, the tissue-engagingportions 5352 of the deployable projections 5351 may not extend abovethe deck 5311 when the projections 5351 are in their undeployedposition. In other instances, the tissue-engaging portions 5352 of thedeployable projections 5351 may extend above the deck 5311 when theprojections 5351 are in their undeployed position. In either event, thetissue-engaging portions 5352 of the deployable projections 5351 mayextend above the deck 5311 when the projections 5351 are in theirdeployed position. Further to the above, the friction fit between eachprojection 5351 and a driver 5340 can be the same such that the force inwhich the driver 5340 will slide relative to a projection 5351, i.e.,the slip force, can be the same for each projection 5351. Otherembodiments are envisioned in which the friction fit between certainprojections 5351 and certain drivers 5340 can be different than otherprojections 5351 and other drivers 5340. In such embodiments, the slipforce between the projections 5351 and the drivers 5340 can bedifferent. In at least one embodiment, the first projection 5351positioned at a distal end of a driver 5340 can begin to slip at a firstslip force and the second projection 5351 positioned at a proximal endof a driver 5340 can begin to slip at a second slip force which isdifferent than the first slip force. In various instances, as a resultof the above, the compressive force in which a projection 5351 can applyto the tissue can be limited. Moreover, as a result of the above, thedistance in which a projection 5351 can extend from the deck 5311 of thecartridge body 5310 can be limited. In various instances, theprojections 5351 can comprise a variable response to the type of tissueand/or the thickness of tissue being stapled. For instance, theprojections 5351 may be deployed further from the deck 5311 when thetissue is thinner and/or more pliable as compared to when the tissue isthicker and/or more rigid. In any event, the slip fit between the driver5340 and the projections 5351 can prevent the tissue from beingovercompressed by the projections 5351.

Further to the above, the projections 5351 can float relative to thecartridge deck 5311. In various instances, the projections 5351 can bedynamically responsive to the compressive pressure created within thetissue captured between the anvil 20 and the staple cartridge 5300. Inat least one instance, the firing member 2760 can cam or move the anvil20 toward the staple cartridge 5300 as the firing member 2760 isadvanced distally. When the anvil 20 is moved toward the staplecartridge 5300, the tissue can be compressed by the anvil 20 wherein, inresponse thereto, the projections 5351 can move or retract downwardlyinto the cartridge body 5310, for example.

In various instances, a staple cartridge can comprise projections whichextend rigidly from a deck of a cartridge body. In at least oneinstance, the deck and the projections may not move relative to oneanother. In other instances, the deck can move relative to theprojections. In at least one such instance, the projections can extendrigidly from the cartridge body and the deck can comprise a movablesurface. When tissue is compressed between an anvil and such a staplecartridge, the deck can move downwardly with respect to the projections.The deck can be movable between a first position and a second position.When the deck is in its first position, the projections may not extendabove a top surface of the deck. In such instances, the projections canbe recessed below the top surface of the deck when the deck is in itsfirst position. When the deck is moved into its second position, theprojections can be exposed and extend above the top surface of the deck.Alternatively, the projections can extend above the top deck surfacewhen the deck is in its first position and its second position. Ineither event, the distance in which the deck is moved relative to theprojections can be a function of the pressure applied to the tissue. Forinstance, the deck may move a larger distance when a larger compressivepressure is applied to the tissue and a smaller distance when a smallercompressive pressure is applied to the tissue. The top deck surface canfloat in response to the compressive pressure applied thereto. Certainembodiments are envisioned in which the deck comprises a unitary pieceof material. Other embodiments are envisioned in which the deckcomprises a plurality of portions. In at least one such embodiment, eachportion can react independently of the other portions. In variousinstances, the deck can be comprised of a resilient material which candeflect in response to the compressive pressure applied thereto. In atleast one instance, the deck can be comprised of foam, for example. Incertain instances, the deck can be comprised of oxidized regeneratedcellulose, for example. The deck may be comprised of an implantablematerial or an implantable material. The deck may or may not beimplanted into the patient. In various instances, the deck can includeapertures defined therein which can permit relative movement between thedeck and the projections. In at least one such instance, the aperturescan comprise through holes and the projections can be positioned withinthe through holes. In certain instances, an aperture can comprise aclearance slot which extends around a staple cavity and the projection,or projections, extending around the staple cavity. When the staples areejected from the staple cavities, the staples can pass through theopenings provided by the clearance slots. In some instances, at least aportion of the deck can be captured by the staples to implant the deckagainst the tissue being stapled.

In various instances, a staple cartridge disclosed herein can comprisean adjunct material. An adjunct material can comprise at least one layerof material which is positioned over the deck of the staple cartridgeand is implanted into the patient by staples deployed from the staplecartridge, for example. In various instances, the at least one layer ofmaterial can comprise buttress material and/or a tissue thicknesscompensator, for example. The at least one layer of material can becomprised of Gore SeamGuard material, Synovis Pen-Strips material,and/or polyurethane, for example. Numerous references have already beenincorporated by reference which disclose such layers. The entiredisclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,095, entitledLAYER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES, filed on Feb. 28,2013, now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0161374, is incorporated byreference herein. The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/531,619, entitled TISSUE STAPLER HAVING A THICKNESS COMPENSATORCOMPRISING INCORPORATING A HEMOSTATIC AGENT, filed on Jun. 25, 2012, nowU.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0318842, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/531,623, entitled TISSUE STAPLER HAVING A THICKNESS COMPENSATORINCORPORATING AN OXYGEN GENERATING AGENT, filed on Jun. 25, 2012, nowU.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0318843, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/531,627, entitled TISSUE STAPLER HAVING A THICKNESS COMPENSATORINCORPORATING AN ANTI-MICROBIAL AGENT, filed on Jun. 25, 2012, now U.S.Patent Publication No. 2012/0312860, and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/531,630, entitled TISSUE STAPLER HAVING A THICKNESS COMPENSATORINCORPORATING AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENT, filed on Jun. 25, 2012, nowU.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0318844, are incorporated by referenceherein. A layer can be comprised of a bioabsorbable material and/or anon-bioabsorbable material. In some instances, a layer of material canbe attached to the deck. In at least one instance, at least one adhesivecan be utilized to releasably adhere the layer to the deck. In someinstances, the layer of material can be releasably attached to the deckutilizing one or more sutures or straps, for example. In certaininstances, the layer can comprise a solid piece of material. In someinstances, the layer can include apertures defined therein. In at leastone such instance, a layer could be utilized with the staple cartridge2000, for example, and can include apertures, slits, and/or slots, forexample, defined therein which are aligned with the projections 2051and/or projections 2053 extending from the deck 2011 of the staplecartridge 2010. In certain instances, the apertures can comprise throughholes or windows extending completely through the layer. The apertures,slits, and/or slots, for example, can be cut into a layer utilizing abladed cutting member, for example. In some instances, the apertures,slits, and/or slots, for example, can be formed when the layer ismolded, for example. In certain instances, the apertures, slits, and/orslots, for example, can be formed in the layer utilizing a laser cuttingprocess, for example. In some instances, the apertures can compriserecesses defined in the layer which do not extend completely through thelayer. In various instances, the projections can be closely receivedwithin the apertures such that relative movement between the cartridgebody 2010 and the layer can be prevented or at least limited. In atleast one such instance, an interference fit can be present between theprojections and the sidewalls of the apertures.

Further to the above, an adjunct layer can be comprised of a woven layerand/or a non-woven layer, for example. A layer can be comprised of film,for example. In various instances, a layer can include a texturedsurface, projections, and/or protrusions, for example, extendingtherefrom which can be configured to prevent or at least limit the flowof tissue relative to the staple cartridge. A layer can comprise a firstset of regions which are engaged by and/or captured within the staplesejected from the staple cartridge and a second set of regions which arenot engaged by or captured within the staples. In various instances, thesecond set of regions can be modified. In at least one instance, a layercan be comprised of film and the second set of regions of the film canbe modified to include apertures, slits, and/or slots, for example. Inat least one instance, a perimeter of such a layer can comprise cutsdefined therein which can soften the edges of the layer. In certaininstances, a pattern of cuts can be made in the layer. In at least onesuch instance, the pattern of cuts can comprise cuts which extend at a45 degree angle relative to one another, for example. In some instances,the depth, width, and/or spacing of the cuts can be random. The cutsdescribed above can make a layer of film more flexible, stretchable,and/or compliant. The cuts described above could be made to a woven or anon-woven material, for example. The cuts described above can be madeusing any suitable process, such as by a mechanical blade system and/ora laser cutting system, for example. In various instances, the first setof regions of a layer may not be modified as discussed above.

As discussed above, a layer comprised of a solid piece of material canbe modified to make the layer more flexible, stretchable, and/orcompliant. A layer could be assembled from several pieces of materialwhich are bonded together. In at least one instance, apertures, slits,and/or slots, for example, can be present between the bonded pieces ofmaterial. In certain instances, strips of a highly non-elasticabsorbable polymer could be welded into a thinner, more flexible film toprovide stretch in certain intended directions and limit stretch inothers. Such strips could also be used to reinforce highly-stressedparts of the film while allowing the other parts of the film to remainsoft and compliant. One way to accomplish this would be to make severalthin strips comprised of a harder polymer, such as Vicryl, for example.These strips could be approximately 0.015″ to 0.030″ wide, for example,and extend the full length of a staple line, for example. Six stripscould be arranged to correspond to the staple line lateral spread of sixlongitudinal staple rows. Then, a thin, continuous film layerapproximately 0.003″ to 0.005″ thick, for example, comprised of a softand elastic polymer, such as Monocryl or 36/64 PGA/PCL, for example,could be welded to the six strips. In some instances, a compressionmolding operation could be utilized. The result would be ahighly-reinforced staple line with soft sides and the ability to readilystretch laterally, but not longitudinally. The strips extending from thefilm could even result in traction-like holding features that wouldminimize tissue flow over the film in the desired direction. In certaininstances, a layer comprised of a woven and/or non-woven material can bemodified so as to solidify certain regions of the layer, such as thefirst set of regions, for example. A flat extruded fiber could be woveninto a strip and then, through the use of felting and/or anotherheat-based technique, the first set of regions, for example, could befused together to solidify them. In some instances, the entirety of thelayer could be fused together.

As discussed above, a staple cartridge can include projections extendingfrom a cartridge body. In addition to or in lieu of these projections,an anvil can comprise projections extending therefrom which can beconfigured to, one, control the flow of tissue relative to the anvil andthe cartridge body, two, extend the staple cavities from the oppositeside of the tissue and/or, three, support and/or guide the staples asthey are being ejected from the staple cavities.

An anvil 3320 is illustrated in FIGS. 66 and 67. The anvil 3320 cancomprise a distal end 3323, a proximal end 3326, and a tissue-engagingsurface 3321. The anvil 3320 can further comprise a pivot 3327 aboutwhich the anvil 3320 can be rotated between an open position and aclosed position. The anvil 3320 can further comprise a longitudinal slot3325 defined therein which is configured to receive a portion of afiring and/or cutting member therein. The anvil 3320 can also compriselateral sides which can include a longitudinal projection, or wall, 3323extending therefrom. In various instances, a longitudinal wall 3323 cancomprise a scalloped surface, for example. In some instances, alongitudinal wall 3323 can comprise a flat surface, for example. Similarto the above, the walls 3323 can be configured to limit or block theflow of tissue laterally with respect to the anvil 3320, for example.

Further to the above, the anvil 3320 can include a plurality of stapleforming pockets 3322 defined therein which can be arranged inlongitudinal rows which are registerable with the staple cavitiesdefined in a staple cartridge. For instance, the forming pockets 3322can be arranged in innermost rows 3328 a, outermost rows 3328 c, androws 3328 b intermediate the innermost rows 3328 a and the outermostrows 3328 c. In at least one instance, each staple forming pocket 3322can comprise a first, or distal, forming cup 3322 a and a second, orproximal, forming cup 3322 b. The first forming cup 3322 a can beconfigured to receive and deform a first leg of a staple and the secondforming cup 3322 b can be configured to receive and deform a second legof the staple. The first forming cup 3322 a and the second forming cup3322 b can be separated by a flat 3322 c. The anvil 3320 can furthercomprise tissue-engaging projections 3324. The projections 3324 can bepositioned intermediate the first forming cup 3322 a and the secondforming cup 3322 b. A first projection 3324 can be positioned on a firstlateral side of the flat 3322 c and a second projection 3324 can bepositioned on a second lateral side of the flat 3322 c. The projections3324 extending from the anvil 3320 can co-operate with projectionsextending from a staple cartridge to guide and support the staples beingejected from the staple cartridge. In at least one instance, the anvilprojections 3324 and the staple cartridge projections can interlock. Invarious instances, the cartridge projections can extend from the ends ofa staple cavity while the anvil projections 3324 can be positionedintermediate the cartridge projections over the middle of the staplecavity, for example. The anvil projections 3324 and the cartridgeprojections can co-operate to extend a staple cavity and support andguide a staple while the staple is being formed against the anvil 3320.The cartridge projections extending from the ends of a staple cavity cansupport and guide the legs of the staple as the staple legs emerge fromthe staple cavity and contact the anvil 3320. As the staple legs arebeing deformed within the forming cups 3322 a, 3322 b, the staple legscan be supported and guided by the projections 3324 extending from theanvil. In various instances, the staple legs can be supported and guidedby the cartridge projections and the anvil projections 3324 at the sametime. In some instances, the staple legs may be supported and guided bythe cartridge projections and the anvil projections 3324, but not at thesame time.

In various instances, the forming cups 3322 a, 3322 b can be configuredto receive at least a portion of the projections extending from thestaple cartridge therein. In at least one such instance, each formingcup 3322 a, 3322 b can comprise a wide, outer end configured to receivea projection extending from a staple cartridge and a narrow, inner end.The wide, outer end of the forming cups 3322 a, 3322 b can also beconfigured to initially receive the staple legs. The forming cups 3322a, 3322 b can further include curved surfaces configured to direct thestaple legs toward the narrow, inner ends of the forming cups 3322 a,3322 b. The staple legs can then exit the forming cups 3322 a, 3322 bfrom the narrow, inner ends, where the projections 3324 are situated tosupport and guide the staple legs. Each forming cup 3322 a, 3322 b caninclude angled surfaces intermediate the wide, outer end and the narrow,inner end. The angled surfaces can guide the staple legs within theforming cups 3322 a, 3322 b, limit the lateral movement of the staplelegs, and improve the alignment of the staple legs with the narrow,inner ends.

Further to the above, the projections 3324 can be configured to engagetissue and hold the tissue in position while the tissue is being stapledand/or transected. In certain instances, each projection 3324 cancomprise a plateau extending from the tissue-engaging surface 3321 whichincludes a flat surface. FIG. 89 depicts an alternative embodimentcomprising an anvil 5220 including forming pockets 3322 defined thereinand tissue-engaging projections 5224 extending therefrom. Similar toprojections 3224, each projection 5224 can comprise a plateau portion5224 a and a flat surface 5224 b configured to engage the tissue. Inaddition, each projection 5224 can comprise a transition surface 5224 cintermediate the plateau portion 5224 a and the flat surface 5224 c. Invarious instances, the transition surface 5224 c can comprise a radius,for example. In certain instances, the transition surface 5224 c cancomprise a bevel, for example.

An anvil 5120 is illustrated in FIGS. 87 and 88. The anvil 5120 cancomprise a distal end 5123, a proximal end 5126, and a tissue-engagingsurface. The tissue-engaging surface can comprise steps. For instance,the tissue-engaging surface can comprise a first step S121′ and a secondstep S121″, for example. The second step S121″ can be taller than thefirst step S121′ and can extend from the first step S121′. The anvil5120 can further comprise a pivot 3327 about which the anvil 3320 can berotated between an open position and a closed position. The anvil 5120can further comprise a longitudinal slot 5125 defined therein which isconfigured to receive a portion of a firing and/or cutting membertherein. The anvil 5120 can also comprise lateral sides 5123 which mayor may not include a longitudinal projection, or wall, extendingtherefrom. In various instances, the taller second step S121″ can beadjacent the longitudinal slot 5125 while the first step S121′ can beadjacent the lateral sides 5123. In various instances, the second stepS121″ may apply a larger compressive force to the tissue than the firststep S121′. In various alternative embodiments, the taller second stepS121″ can be adjacent the lateral sides 5123 while the first step S121′can be adjacent the longitudinal slot 5125. While the anvil 5120comprises two steps, the anvil 5120 could comprise more than two steps.In any event, the anvil 5120 can comprise a ramp surface 5128″ extendingbetween the first step S121′ and the second step S121″ which canfacilitate the positioning of the anvil 5120 relative to tissue.

Further to the above, the anvil 5120 can include a plurality of stapleforming pockets 5122 defined therein which can be arranged inlongitudinal rows which are registerable with the staple cavitiesdefined in a staple cartridge. In various instances, the outermost rowsof forming pockets 5122 can be defined in the first step S121′. Theinnermost rows of forming pockets 5122 and the intermediate rows offorming pockets 5122 can be defined in the second step S121″, forexample. Other embodiments are envisioned in which the intermediate rowsof forming pockets 5122 are defined the first step S121′. In any event,the anvil 5120 can comprise tissue-engaging projections 5124 extendingtherefrom. In various instances, each projection 5124 can comprise anH-shaped configuration, for example. A projection 5124 can extendbetween adjacent forming pockets 5122, for example. A projection 5124can extend between adjacent forming cups within a forming pocket 5122,for example. In various instances, a projection 5124 can around an endof a forming cup to support and guide a staple leg being formed by theforming cup. A projection 5124 can extend along the lateral sides of aforming pocket 5122, for example. A projection 5124 can extend along thelateral sides of a first forming pocket 5122 and a second forming pocket5122, for example. The lateral sides of the forming pockets 5122 can beparallel, for example. In various instances, the projections 5124 canguide the staple legs within the forming cups and limit the lateralmovement of the staple legs. FIG. 88 depicts a projection 5124 on eachside of a forming pocket 5122. FIG. 88 also depicts a projection 5124 oneach side of a forming cup of a forming pocket 5122. In various otherembodiments, a projection may be positioned adjacent only some of theforming pockets 5122 of the anvil 5120 and/or only some of the formingcups of the forming pockets 5122.

In various instances, the projections extending from an anvil may havethe same height. In other instances, the projections extending from ananvil may have different heights. Turning now to FIG. 69, an anvil 3520can include a tissue-engaging surface 3321 and a longitudinal slot 3325defined therein which is configured to receive a portion of a firingand/or cutting member. The anvil 3520 can also comprise lateral sideswhich can include a longitudinal projection, or wall, 3323 extendingtherefrom Similar to the above, the anvil 3520 can include formingpockets arranged in innermost rows 3328 a, outermost rows 3328 c, androws 3328 b intermediate the innermost rows 3328 a and the outermostrows 3328 c. In various instances, the anvil 3520 can compriselongitudinal rows of first projections 3551 a adjacent the innermostrows 3328 a, longitudinal rows of second projections 3551 b adjacent theintermediate rows 3328 b, and longitudinal rows of third projections3551 c adjacent the outermost rows 3228 c, for example. The firstprojections 3551 a can extend from the tissue-engaging surface 3221 afirst distance and the second projections 3551 b can extend from thetissue-engaging surface 3221 a second distance which is different thanthe first distance. The third projections 3551 c can extend from thetissue-engaging surface 3221 a third distance which can be differentthan the first distance and/or the second distance. In variousinstances, the third projections 3551 c can be taller than the secondprojections 3551 b and the second projections 3551 b can be taller thanthe first projections 3551 a. In various alternative embodiments, theprojections 3551 a can be positioned adjacent to the intermediate rows3328 b and/or the outermost rows 3328 c, for example, the projections3551 b can be positioned adjacent to the innermost rows 3328 a and/orthe outermost rows 3328 c, for example, and/or the projections 3551 ccan be positioned adjacent to the innermost rows 3328 a and/or theintermediate rows 3328 b, for example.

An anvil 3420 is illustrated in FIG. 68. The anvil 3420 can comprise adistal end 3423, a proximal end, and a tissue-engaging surface 3321. Theanvil 3420 can further comprise a pivot 3327 about which the anvil 3420can be rotated between an open position and a closed position. The anvil3420 can further comprise a longitudinal slot 3325 defined therein whichis configured to receive a portion of a firing and/or cutting membertherein. The anvil 3420 can also comprise lateral sides which caninclude a longitudinal projection, or wall, 3323 extending therefrom.The anvil 3420 can include a plurality of staple forming pockets 3322defined therein which can be arranged in longitudinal rows which areregisterable with the staple cavities defined in a staple cartridge. Invarious instances, further to the above, the anvil 3420 can compriseprojections extending therefrom. For example, the anvil 3420 can includepyramidal projections 3051 and/or domed-shaped projections 3151extending therefrom. The projections 3051 and/or the projections 3151can improve the gripping force that can be applied to the tissue.

In various instances, an anvil and the projections extending from theanvil can be comprised of a unitary piece of material. In at least oneinstance, the projections can be integrally formed with the anvil. Theanvil and projections can be comprised of a metallic material, such asstainless steel, for example, and can be formed during a machiningand/or stamping process, for example. In certain instances, theprojections can be assembled to the anvil. In at least one instance, theprojections can be adhered to the anvil, for example. The anvil and theprojections can be comprised of the same material or differentmaterials. In at least one instance, the anvil can be comprised of ametallic material and the projections can be formed from an elastomericmaterial, such as rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, and/or Santoprene,for example. In various instances, the projections can be comprised of apliable material and may not traumatize the tissue compressed by theprojections. Projections 3051 and/or projections 3151, for example, canbe comprised of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, a thermoplasticelastomer, and/or Santoprene, for example. In at least one instance, theanvil can be formed during a machining and/or stamping process and theprojections can be formed on the anvil during a molding process using amaterial which is more pliable than the material comprising the anvil.In various instances, the projections 3051 and/or 3151, for example, cancomprise a textured anvil surface. In certain instances, the projections3051 and/or 3151, for example, can be comprised of a material which hasa higher coefficient of friction than the anvil. Such embodiments canimprove the gripping force between the anvil and the tissue.

Further to the above, an anvil can include a uniform array ofprojections extending therefrom. In other instances, the array may notbe uniform. Referring again to FIG. 68, projections 3051 can extend fromthe anvil surface 3321 on a first side of the longitudinal slot 3325 andthe projections 3151 can extend from the anvil surface 3321 on a secondside of the longitudinal slot 3325. In various instances, theprojections can be positioned distally with respect to the formingpockets 3322, for example. In certain instances, the projections caninterspersed among the forming pockets 3322. The projections can extendfrom a surface 3429 a defined intermediate the innermost forming pockets3322 and the slot 3325, a surface 3429 b defined intermediate theinnermost forming pockets 3322 and the intermediate forming pockets3322, a surface 3429 c defined intermediate the intermediate formingpockets 3322 and the outermost forming pockets 3322, and/or a surface3429 d defined intermediate the outermost forming pockets 3322 and thelateral walls 3323, for example.

FIG. 98 depicts an anvil 5920. The anvil 5920 can include a distal end5923, a proximal end 5926, and a tissue-engaging surface 5921. The anvil5920 can further comprise tissue-engaging members extending from thesurface 5921 which are configured to prevent or limit the flow of tissuerelative to the anvil 5920. In at least one instance, the anvil 5920 caninclude projections 5924′ and projections 5924″, for example. Theprojections 5924″ can be taller than the projections 5924′. Thisdifference in height is indicated by dimension 5925. As illustrated inFIG. 98, the projections 5924″ can be positioned distally with respectto the projections 5924′. In various instances, the projections 5924″and the projections 5924′ can be part of a longitudinal row ofprojections. In some instances, the projections 5924″ and theprojections 5924′ can be part of different longitudinal rows ofprojections. In certain instances, although not illustrated, theprojections 5924′ can be positioned distally with respect to theprojections 5924″.

In various instances, an anvil disclosed herein can comprise an adjunctmaterial. An adjunct material can comprise at least one layer ofmaterial which is positioned over the tissue-engaging surface of theanvil and is implanted into the patient by staples deployed from astaple cartridge, for example. In various instances, the at least onelayer of material can comprise buttress material and/or a tissuethickness compensator, for example. The at least one layer of materialcan be comprised of Gore SeamGuard material, Synovis Pen-Stripsmaterial, and/or polyurethane, for example. Numerous references havealready been incorporated by reference which disclose such layers. Theentire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/763,095,entitled LAYER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES, filed onFeb. 28, 2013, now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0161374, isincorporated by reference herein. The entire disclosures of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/531,619, entitled TISSUE STAPLER HAVING ATHICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING INCORPORATING A HEMOSTATIC AGENT, filedon Jun. 25, 2012, now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0318842, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/531,623, entitled TISSUE STAPLER HAVING ATHICKNESS COMPENSATOR INCORPORATING AN OXYGEN GENERATING AGENT, filed onJun. 25, 2012, now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0318843, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/531,627, entitled TISSUE STAPLER HAVING ATHICKNESS COMPENSATOR INCORPORATING AN ANTI-MICROBIAL AGENT, filed onJun. 25, 2012, now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0312860, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/531,630, entitled TISSUE STAPLER HAVING ATHICKNESS COMPENSATOR INCORPORATING AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENT, filed onJun. 25, 2012, now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0318844, areincorporated by reference herein. A layer can be comprised of abioabsorbable material and/or a non-bioabsorbable material. In someinstances, a layer of material can be attached to the anvil. In at leastone instance, at least one adhesive can be utilized to releasably adherethe layer to the anvil. In some instances, the layer of material can bereleasably attached to the anvil utilizing one or more sutures orstraps, for example. In various instances, a layer can compriseprojections extending therefrom which can extend into the formingpockets defined in the anvil. The projections can be arranged in anarray, or pattern, which is aligned with the array, or pattern, offorming pockets in the anvil. In at least one instance, the projectionscan fit snugly within the forming pockets. The projections can beconfigured to limit the lateral and/or longitudinal movement of thelayer relative to the anvil.

In certain instances, a layer can comprise a solid piece of material. Insome instances, the layer can include apertures defined therein. In atleast one such instance, a layer could be utilized with the anvil 3320,for example, and can include apertures, slits, and/or slots, forexample, defined therein which are aligned with the projectionsextending from the tissue-engaging surface 3321 of the anvil 3320. Incertain instances, the apertures can comprise through holes or windowsextending completely through the layer. The apertures, slits, and/orslots, for example, can be cut into a layer utilizing a bladed cuttingmember, for example. In some instances, the apertures, slits, and/orslots, for example, can be formed when the layer is molded, for example.In certain instances, the apertures, slits, and/or slots, for example,can be formed in the layer utilizing a laser cutting process, forexample. In some instances, the apertures can comprise recesses definedin the layer which do not extend completely through the layer. Invarious instances, the projections can be closely received within theapertures such that relative movement between the anvil 3320 and thelayer can be prevented or at least limited. In at least one suchinstance, an interference fit can be present between the projections andthe sidewalls of the apertures.

Further to the above, an adjunct layer can be comprised of a woven layerand/or a non-woven layer, for example. A layer can be comprised of film,for example. In various instances, a layer can include a texturedsurface, projections, and/or protrusions, for example, extendingtherefrom which can be configured to prevent or at least limit the flowof tissue relative to the anvil. A layer can comprise a first set ofregions which are engaged by and/or captured within staples ejected froma staple cartridge and a second set of regions which are not engaged byor captured within the staples. In various instances, the second set ofregions can be modified. In at least one instance, a layer can becomprised of film and the second set of regions of the film can bemodified to include apertures, slits, and/or slots, for example. In atleast one instance, a perimeter of such a layer can comprise cutsdefined therein which can soften the edges of the layer. In certaininstances, a pattern of cuts can be made in the layer. In at least onesuch instance, the pattern of cuts can comprise cuts which extend at a45 degree angle relative to one another, for example. In some instances,the depth, width, and/or spacing of the cuts can be random. The cutsdescribed above can make a layer of film more flexible, stretchable,and/or compliant. The cuts described above could be made to a woven or anon-woven material, for example. The cuts described above can be madeusing any suitable process, such as by a mechanical blade system and/ora laser cutting system, for example. In various instances, the first setof regions of a layer may not be modified as discussed above.

As discussed above, a layer comprised of a solid piece of material canbe modified to make the layer more flexible, stretchable, and/orcompliant. A layer could be assembled from several pieces of materialwhich are bonded together. In at least one instance, apertures, slits,and/or slots, for example, can be present between the bonded pieces ofmaterial. In certain instances, strips of a highly non-elasticabsorbable polymer could be welded into a thinner, more flexible film toprovide stretch in certain intended directions and limit stretch inothers. Such strips could also be used to reinforce highly-stressedparts of the film while allowing the other parts of the film to remainsoft and compliant. One way to accomplish this would be to make severalthin strips comprised of a harder polymer, such as Vicryl, for example.These strips could be approximately 0.015″ to 0.030″ wide, for example,and extend the full length of a staple forming pocket line, for example.Six strips could be arranged to correspond to the staple line lateralspread of six longitudinal staple rows. Then, a thin, continuous filmlayer approximately 0.003″ to 0.005″ thick, for example, comprised of asoft and elastic polymer, such as Monocryl or 36/64 PGA/PCL, forexample, could be welded to the six strips. In some instances, acompression molding operation could be utilized. The result would be ahighly-reinforced staple line with soft sides and the ability to readilystretch laterally, but not longitudinally. The strips extending from thefilm could even result in traction-like holding features that wouldminimize tissue flow over the film in the desired direction. In certaininstances, a layer comprised of a woven and/or non-woven material can bemodified so as to solidify certain regions of the layer, such as thefirst set of regions, for example. A flat extruded fiber could be woveninto a strip and then, through the use of felting and/or anotherheat-based technique, the first set of regions, for example, could befused together to solidify them. In some instances, the entirety of thelayer could be fused together.

Various embodiments are disclosed herein comprising staples removablystored within a staple cartridge in an end-to-end arrangement within oneor more longitudinal rows. Similarly, various embodiments are disclosedherein comprising an anvil including staple forming pockets arranged ina corresponding end-to-end arrangement. Other staple and staple formingpocket arrangements are envisioned and are adaptable to the embodimentsdisclosed herein. Such arrangements may or may not comprise anend-to-end arrangement. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No.8,186,560, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES FORDEPLOYING SURGICAL STAPLES WITH TISSUE COMPRESSION FEATURES, whichissued on May 29, 2012, is incorporated by reference herein. The entiredisclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,976, entitled SURGICAL STAPLES HAVINGDISSOLVABLE, BIOABSORBABLE OR BIOFRAGMENTABLE PORTIONS AND STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS FOR DEPLOYING THE SAME, which issued on Feb. 5, 2013, isincorporated by reference herein.

FIGS. 19-22 depict a motor-driven surgical cutting and fasteninginstrument 1010 that may or may not be reused. In the illustratedembodiment, the instrument 1010 includes a housing 1012 that comprises ahandle 1014 that is configured to be grasped, manipulated and actuatedby the clinician. The housing 1012 is configured for operable attachmentto an interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 that has a surgical endeffector 1300 operably coupled thereto that is configured to perform oneor more surgical tasks or procedures. As the present DetailedDescription proceeds, it will be understood that the various unique andnovel arrangements of the various forms of interchangeable shaftassemblies disclosed herein may also be effectively employed inconnection with robotically-controlled surgical systems. Thus, the term“housing” may also encompass a housing or similar portion of a roboticsystem that houses or otherwise operably supports at least one drivesystem that is configured to generate and apply at least one controlmotion which could be used to actuate the interchangeable shaftassemblies disclosed herein and their respective equivalents. The term“frame” may refer to a portion of a handheld surgical instrument. Theterm “frame” may also represent a portion of a robotically controlledsurgical instrument and/or a portion of the robotic system that may beused to operably control a surgical instrument. For example, theinterchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein may be employed withvarious robotic systems, instruments, components and methods disclosedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, nowU.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0298719. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTSWITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US 2012/0298719, is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

The housing 1012 depicted in FIGS. 19-21 is shown in connection with aninterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 that includes an end effector 1300that comprises a surgical cutting and fastening device that isconfigured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 1304 therein.The housing 1012 may be configured for use in connection withinterchangeable shaft assemblies that include end effectors that areadapted to support different sizes and types of staple cartridges, havedifferent shaft lengths, sizes, and types, etc. In addition, the housing1012 may also be effectively employed with a variety of otherinterchangeable shaft assemblies including those assemblies that areconfigured to apply other motions and forms of energy such as, forexample, radio frequency (RF) energy, ultrasonic energy and/or motion toend effector arrangements adapted for use in connection with varioussurgical applications and procedures. Furthermore, the end effectors,shaft assemblies, handles, surgical instruments, and/or surgicalinstrument systems can utilize any suitable fastener, or fasteners, tofasten tissue. For instance, a fastener cartridge comprising a pluralityof fasteners removably stored therein can be removably inserted intoand/or attached to the end effector of a shaft assembly.

FIG. 19 illustrates the surgical instrument 1010 with an interchangeableshaft assembly 1200 operably coupled thereto. FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrateattachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 to the housing1012 or handle 1014. As can be seen in FIG. 21, the handle 1014 maycomprise a pair of interconnectable handle housing segments 1016 and1018 that may be interconnected by screws, snap features, adhesive, etc.In the illustrated arrangement, the handle housing segments 1016, 1018cooperate to form a pistol grip portion 1019 that can be gripped andmanipulated by the clinician. As will be discussed in further detailbelow, the handle 1014 operably supports a plurality of drive systemstherein that are configured to generate and apply various controlmotions to corresponding portions of the interchangeable shaft assemblythat is operably attached thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 21, the handle 1014 may further include a frame1020 that operably supports a plurality of drive systems. For example,the frame 1020 can operably support a “first” or closure drive system,generally designated as 1030, which may be employed to apply closing andopening motions to the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 that isoperably attached or coupled thereto. In at least one form, the closuredrive system 1030 may include an actuator in the form of a closuretrigger 1032 that is pivotally supported by the frame 1020. Morespecifically, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the closure trigger 1032 ispivotally coupled to the housing 1014 by a pin 1033. Such arrangementenables the closure trigger 1032 to be manipulated by a clinician suchthat when the clinician grips the pistol grip portion 1019 of the handle1014, the closure trigger 1032 may be easily pivoted from a starting or“unactuated” position to an “actuated” position and more particularly toa fully compressed or fully actuated position. The closure trigger 1032may be biased into the unactuated position by spring or other biasingarrangement (not shown). In various forms, the closure drive system 1030further includes a closure linkage assembly 1034 that is pivotallycoupled to the closure trigger 1032. As can be seen in FIG. 21, theclosure linkage assembly 1034 may include a first closure link 1036 anda second closure link 1038 that are pivotally coupled to the closuretrigger 1032 by a pin 1035. The second closure link 1038 may also bereferred to herein as an “attachment member” and include a transverseattachment pin 1037.

Still referring to FIG. 21, it can be observed that the first closurelink 1036 may have a locking wall or end 1039 thereon that is configuredto cooperate with a closure release assembly 1060 that is pivotallycoupled to the frame 1020. In at least one form, the closure releaseassembly 1060 may comprise a release button assembly 1062 that has adistally protruding locking pawl 1064 formed thereon. The release buttonassembly 1062 may be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction by arelease spring (not shown). As the clinician depresses the closuretrigger 1032 from its unactuated position towards the pistol gripportion 1019 of the handle 1014, the first closure link 1036 pivotsupward to a point wherein the locking pawl 1064 drops into retainingengagement with the locking wall 1039 on the first closure link 1036thereby preventing the closure trigger 1032 from returning to theunactuated position. Thus, the closure release assembly 1060 serves tolock the closure trigger 1032 in the fully actuated position. When theclinician desires to unlock the closure trigger 1032 to permit it to bebiased to the unactuated position, the clinician simply pivots theclosure release button assembly 1062 such that the locking pawl 1064 ismoved out of engagement with the locking wall 1039 on the first closurelink 1036. When the locking pawl 1064 has been moved out of engagementwith the first closure link 1036, the closure trigger 1032 may pivotback to the unactuated position. Other closure trigger locking andrelease arrangements may also be employed.

An arm 1061 may extend from the closure release button 1062. A magneticelement 1063, such as a permanent magnet, for example, may be mounted tothe arm 1061. When the closure release button 1062 is rotated from itsfirst position to its second position, the magnetic element 1063 canmove toward a circuit board 1100. The circuit board 1100 can include atleast one sensor that is configured to detect the movement of themagnetic element 1063. In at least one embodiment, for example, a “HallEffect” sensor (not shown) can be mounted to the bottom surface of thecircuit board 1100. The Hall Effect sensor can be configured to detectchanges in a magnetic field surrounding the Hall Effect sensor caused bythe movement of the magnetic element 1063. The Hall Effect sensor can bein signal communication with a microcontroller, for example, which candetermine whether the closure release button 1062 is in its firstposition, which is associated with the unactuated position of theclosure trigger 1032 and the open configuration of the end effector, itssecond position, which is associated with the actuated position of theclosure trigger 1032 and the closed configuration of the end effector,and/or any position between the first position and the second position.

In at least one form, the handle 1014 and the frame 1020 may operablysupport another drive system referred to herein as a firing drive system1080 that is configured to apply firing motions to correspondingportions of the interchangeable shaft assembly attached thereto. Thefiring drive system may 1080 also be referred to herein as a “seconddrive system”. The firing drive system 1080 may employ an electric motor1082 that is located in the pistol grip portion 1019 of the handle 1014.In various forms, the motor 1082 may be a DC brushed driving motorhaving a maximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM, for example. Inother arrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordlessmotor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitableelectric motor. The motor 1082 may be powered by a power source 1090that in one form may comprise a removable power pack 1092. As can beseen in FIG. 21, for example, the power pack 1092 may comprise aproximal housing portion 1094 that is configured for attachment to adistal housing portion 1096. The proximal housing portion 1094 and thedistal housing portion 1096 are configured to operably support aplurality of batteries 1098 therein. Batteries 1098 may each comprise,for example, a Lithium Ion (“LI”) or other suitable battery. The distalhousing portion 1096 is configured for removable operable attachment tothe circuit board assembly 1100 which is also operably coupled to themotor 1082. A number of batteries 1098 may be connected in series may beused as the power source for the surgical instrument 1010. In addition,the power source 1090 may be replaceable and/or rechargeable.

As outlined above with respect to other various forms, the electricmotor 1082 can include a rotatable shaft (not shown) that operablyinterfaces with a gear reducer assembly 1084 that is mounted in meshingengagement with a with a set, or rack, of drive teeth 1122 on alongitudinally-movable drive member 1120. In use, a voltage polarityprovided by the power source 1090 can operate the electric motor 1082 ina clockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied to theelectric motor by the battery can be reversed in order to operate theelectric motor 1082 in a counter-clockwise direction. When the electricmotor 1082 is rotated in one direction, the drive member 1120 will beaxially driven in the distal direction “DD”. When the motor 82 is drivenin the opposite rotary direction, the drive member 1120 will be axiallydriven in a proximal direction “PD”. The handle 1014 can include aswitch which can be configured to reverse the polarity applied to theelectric motor 1082 by the power source 1090. As with the other formsdescribed herein, the handle 1014 can also include a sensor that isconfigured to detect the position of the drive member 1120 and/or thedirection in which the drive member 1120 is being moved.

Actuation of the motor 1082 can be controlled by a firing trigger 1130that is pivotally supported on the handle 1014. The firing trigger 1130may be pivoted between an unactuated position and an actuated position.The firing trigger 1130 may be biased into the unactuated position by aspring 1132 or other biasing arrangement such that when the clinicianreleases the firing trigger 1130, it may be pivoted or otherwisereturned to the unactuated position by the spring 1132 or biasingarrangement. In at least one form, the firing trigger 1130 can bepositioned “outboard” of the closure trigger 132 as was discussed above.In at least one form, a firing trigger safety button 1134 may bepivotally mounted to the closure trigger 1032 by pin 1035. The safetybutton 1134 may be positioned between the firing trigger 1130 and theclosure trigger 1032 and have a pivot arm 1136 protruding therefrom. SeeFIG. 21. When the closure trigger 1032 is in the unactuated position,the safety button 1134 is contained in the handle 1014 where theclinician cannot readily access it and move it between a safety positionpreventing actuation of the firing trigger 1130 and a firing positionwherein the firing trigger 1130 may be fired. As the clinician depressesthe closure trigger 1032, the safety button 1134 and the firing trigger1130 pivot down wherein they can then be manipulated by the clinician.

As indicated above, in at least one form, the longitudinally movabledrive member 1120 has a rack of teeth 1122 formed thereon for meshingengagement with a corresponding drive gear 1086 of the gear reducerassembly 1084. At least one form also includes a manually-actuatable“bailout” assembly 1140 that is configured to enable the clinician tomanually retract the longitudinally movable drive member 1120 should themotor 1082 become disabled. The bailout assembly 1140 may include alever or bailout handle assembly 1142 that is configured to be manuallypivoted into ratcheting engagement with teeth 1124 also provided in thedrive member 1120. Thus, the clinician can manually retract the drivemember 1120 by using the bailout handle assembly 1142 to ratchet thedrive member 1120 in the proximal direction “PD”. U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US 2010/0089970, now U.S. Pat. No.8,608,045, discloses bailout arrangements and other components,arrangements and systems that may also be employed with the variousinstruments disclosed herein. U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/249,117, entitled POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUSWITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045, ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Turning now to FIGS. 20 and 22, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200includes a surgical end effector 1300 that comprises an elongate channel1302 that is configured to operably support a staple cartridge 1304therein. The end effector 1300 may further include an anvil 1306 that ispivotally supported relative to the elongate channel 1302. Theinterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 may further include an articulationjoint 1270 and an articulation lock which can be configured toreleasably hold the end effector 1300 in a desired position relative toa shaft axis SA-SA. Details regarding the construction and operation ofthe end effector 1300, the articulation joint 1270 and the articulationlock are set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, filedMar. 14, 2013, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING ANARTICULATION LOCK. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/803,086, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK is hereby incorporated byreference herein. As can be seen in FIG. 22, the interchangeable shaftassembly 1200 can further include a proximal housing or nozzle 1201comprised of nozzle portions 1202 and 1203. The interchangeable shaftassembly 1200 can further include a closure tube 1260 which can beutilized to close and/or open the anvil 1306 of the end effector 1300.The shaft assembly 1200 can include a spine 1210 that is configured to,one, slidably support a firing member therein and, two, slidably supportthe closure tube 1260 which extends around the spine 210. The spine 210can also be configured to slidably support a proximal articulationdriver. The articulation driver has a distal end that is configured tooperably engage the articulation lock. The articulation lock interfaceswith an articulation frame that is adapted to operably engage a drivepin on the end effector frame. As indicated above, further detailsregarding the operation of the articulation lock and the articulationframe may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086. Invarious circumstances, the spine 1210 can comprise a proximal end 1211which is rotatably supported in a chassis 1240. In one arrangement, forexample, the proximal end 1211 of the spine 1210 has a thread 1214formed thereon for threaded attachment to a spine bearing 1216configured to be supported within the chassis 1240. See FIG. 22. Such anarrangement facilitates rotatable attachment of the spine 1210 to thechassis 1240 such that the spine 1210 may be selectively rotated about ashaft axis SA relative to the chassis 1240.

Referring primarily to FIG. 22, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200includes a closure shuttle 1250 that is slidably supported within thechassis 1240 such that it may be axially moved relative thereto. Theclosure shuttle 1250 includes a pair of proximally-protruding hooks 1252that are configured for attachment to the attachment pin 1037 (FIGS. 20and 21) that is attached to the second closure link 1038 as will bediscussed in further detail below. A proximal end 1261 of the closuretube 1260 is coupled to the closure shuttle 1250 for relative rotationthereto. For example, a U shaped connector 1263 is inserted into anannular slot 1262 in the proximal end 1261 of the closure tube 1260 andis retained within vertical slots 1253 in the closure shuttle 1250. Suchan arrangement serves to attach the closure tube 1260 to the closureshuttle 1250 for axial travel therewith while enabling the closure tube1260 to rotate relative to the closure shuttle 1250 about the shaft axisSA. A closure spring 1268 is journaled on the closure tube 1260 andserves to bias the closure tube 1260 in the proximal direction “PD”which can serve to pivot the closure trigger into the unactuatedposition when the shaft assembly is operably coupled to the handle 1014.

In at least one form, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 mayfurther include an articulation joint 1270. Other interchangeable shaftassemblies, however, may not be capable of articulation. As can be seenin FIG. 22, for example, the articulation joint 1270 includes a doublepivot closure sleeve assembly 1271. According to various forms, thedouble pivot closure sleeve assembly 1271 includes an end effectorclosure sleeve assembly 1272 having upper and lower distally projectingtangs 1273, 1274. An end effector closure sleeve assembly 1272 includesa horseshoe aperture 1275 and a tab 1276 for engaging an opening tab onthe anvil 1306 in the various manners described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/803,086, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled,ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK whichhas been incorporated by reference herein. As described in furtherdetail therein, the horseshoe aperture 1275 and tab 1276 engage a tab onthe anvil when the anvil 1306 is opened. An upper double pivot link 1277includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engagerespectively an upper distal pin hole in the upper proximally projectingtang 1273 and an upper proximal pin hole in an upper distally projectingtang 1264 on the closure tube 1260. A lower double pivot link 1278includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engagerespectively a lower distal pin hole in the lower proximally projectingtang 1274 and a lower proximal pin hole in the lower distally projectingtang 1265. See also FIG. 22.

In use, the closure tube 1260 is translated distally (direction “DD”) toclose the anvil 1306, for example, in response to the actuation of theclosure trigger 1032. The anvil 1306 is closed by distally translatingthe closure tube 1260 and thus the shaft closure sleeve assembly 1272,causing it to strike a proximal surface on the anvil 1360 in the mannerdescribed in the aforementioned referenced U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/803,086. As was also described in detail in that reference, theanvil 1306 is opened by proximally translating the closure tube 1260 andthe shaft closure sleeve assembly 1272, causing tab 1276 and thehorseshoe aperture 1275 to contact and push against the anvil tab tolift the anvil 1306. In the anvil-open position, the shaft closure tube1260 is moved to its proximal position.

As was also indicated above, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200further includes a firing member that is supported for axial travelwithin the shaft spine 1210. The firing member includes an intermediatefiring shaft portion 1222 that is configured for attachment to a distalcutting portion or knife bar. The intermediate firing shaft portion 1222may include a longitudinal slot in the distal end thereof which can beconfigured to receive a tab on the proximal end of the distal knife bar.The longitudinal slot and the proximal end can be sized and configuredto permit relative movement therebetween and can comprise a slip joint.The slip joint can permit the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 ofthe firing drive to be moved to articulate the end effector 1300 withoutmoving, or at least substantially moving, the knife bar. Once the endeffector 1300 has been suitably oriented, the intermediate firing shaftportion 1222 can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of thelongitudinal slot comes into contact with the tab in order to advancethe knife bar and fire the staple cartridge positioned within thechannel 1302. Further description of the operation of the firing membermay be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086.

As can be seen in FIG. 22, the shaft assembly 1200 further includes aswitch drum 1500 that is rotatably received on the closure tube 1260.The switch drum 1500 comprises a hollow shaft segment 1502 that has ashaft boss formed thereon for receive an outwardly protruding actuationpin therein. In various circumstances, the actuation pin extends througha longitudinal slot provided in the lock sleeve to facilitate axialmovement of the lock sleeve when it is engaged with the articulationdriver. A rotary torsion spring 1420 is configured to engage the boss onthe switch drum 1500 and a portion of the nozzle housing 1203 to apply abiasing force to the switch drum 1500. The switch drum 1500 can furthercomprise at least partially circumferential openings 1506 definedtherein which can be configured to receive circumferential mountsextending from the nozzle halves 1202, 1203 and permit relativerotation, but not translation, between the switch drum 1500 and theproximal nozzle 1201. The mounts also extend through openings 1266 inthe closure tube 1260 to be seated in recesses in the shaft spine 1210.However, rotation of the nozzle 1201 to a point where the mounts reachthe end of their respective slots 1506 in the switch drum 1500 willresult in rotation of the switch drum 1500 about the shaft axis SA.Rotation of the switch drum 1500 will ultimately result in the rotationof the actuation pin and the lock sleeve between its engaged anddisengaged positions. Thus, in essence, the nozzle 1201 may be employedto operably engage and disengage the articulation drive system with thefiring drive system in the various manners described in further detailin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086 and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/226,142, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISINGA SENSOR SYSTEM, filed Mar. 26, 2014, the entitle disclosures of eachbeing hereby incorporated by reference herein.

As also illustrated in FIG. 22, the shaft assembly 1200 can comprise aslip ring assembly 1600 which can be configured to conduct electricalpower to and/or from the end effector 1300 and/or communicate signals toand/or from the end effector 1300, for example. The slip ring assembly1600 can comprise a proximal connector flange 1604 that is mounted to achassis flange 1242 that extends from the chassis 1240 and a distalconnector flange that is positioned within a slot defined in the shafthousings. The proximal connector flange 1604 can comprise a first faceand the distal connector flange can comprise a second face which ispositioned adjacent to and movable relative to the first face. Thedistal connector flange can rotate relative to the proximal connectorflange 1604 about the shaft axis SA. The proximal connector flange 1604can comprise a plurality of concentric, or at least substantiallyconcentric, conductors defined in the first face thereof. A connectorcan be mounted on the proximal side of the connector flange and may havea plurality of contacts wherein each contact corresponds to and is inelectrical contact with one of the conductors. Such an arrangementpermits relative rotation between the proximal connector flange 1604 andthe distal connector flange while maintaining electrical contacttherebetween. The proximal connector flange 1604 can include anelectrical connector 1606 which can place the conductors in signalcommunication with a shaft circuit board 1610 mounted to the shaftchassis 1240, for example. In at least one instance, a wiring harnesscomprising a plurality of conductors can extend between the electricalconnector 1606 and the shaft circuit board 1610. The electricalconnector 1606 may extend proximally through a connector opening 1243defined in the chassis mounting flange 1242. See FIG. 22. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUETHICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/800,025, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM,filed on Mar. 13, 2013, is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. Further details regarding slip ring assembly 1600 may be foundin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086.

As discussed above, the shaft assembly 1200 can include a proximalportion which is fixably mounted to the handle 1014 and a distal portionwhich is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The rotatable distal shaftportion can be rotated relative to the proximal portion about the slipring assembly 1600, as discussed above. The distal connector flange ofthe slip ring assembly 1600 can be positioned within the rotatabledistal shaft portion. Moreover, further to the above, the switch drum1500 can also be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion.When the rotatable distal shaft portion is rotated, the distal connectorflange and the switch drum 1500 can be rotated synchronously with oneanother. In addition, the switch drum 1500 can be rotated between afirst position and a second position relative to the distal connectorflange. When the switch drum 1500 is in its first position, thearticulation drive system may be operably disengaged from the firingdrive system and, thus, the operation of the firing drive system may notarticulate the end effector 1300 of the shaft assembly 1200. When theswitch drum 1500 is in its second position, the articulation drivesystem may be operably engaged with the firing drive system and, thus,the operation of the firing drive system may articulate the end effector1300 of the shaft assembly 1200. When the switch drum 1500 is movedbetween its first position and its second position, the switch drum 1500is moved relative to distal connector flange. In various instances, theshaft assembly 1200 can comprise at least one sensor configured todetect the position of the switch drum 1500.

Referring again to FIG. 22, the chassis 1240 includes at least one, andpreferably two, tapered attachment portions 1244 formed thereon that areadapted to be received within corresponding dovetail slots 1702 formedwithin a distal attachment flange portion 1700 of the frame 1020. SeeFIG. 21. Each dovetail slot 1702 may be tapered or, stated another way,be somewhat V-shaped to seatingly receive the attachment portions 1244therein. As can be further seen in FIG. 22, a shaft attachment lug 1226is formed on the proximal end of the intermediate firing shaft 1222. Aswill be discussed in further detail below, when the interchangeableshaft assembly 1200 is coupled to the handle 1014, the shaft attachmentlug 1226 is received in a firing shaft attachment cradle 1126 formed inthe distal end 1125 of the longitudinal drive member 1120. See FIG. 21.

Various shaft assembly embodiments employ a latch system 1710 forremovably coupling the shaft assembly 1200 to the housing 1012 and morespecifically to the frame 1020. As can be seen in FIG. 22, for example,in at least one form, the latch system 1710 includes a lock member orlock yoke 1712 that is movably coupled to the chassis 1240. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, the lock yoke 1712 has a U-shapewith two spaced downwardly extending legs 1714. The legs 1714 each havea pivot lug 1715 formed thereon that are adapted to be received incorresponding holes 1245 formed in the chassis 1240. Such arrangementfacilitates pivotal attachment of the lock yoke 1712 to the chassis1240. The lock yoke 1712 may include two proximally protruding lock lugs1716 that are configured for releasable engagement with correspondinglock detents or grooves 1704 in the distal attachment flange 1700 of theframe 1020. See FIG. 21. In various forms, the lock yoke 1712 is biasedin the proximal direction by spring or biasing member (not shown).Actuation of the lock yoke 1712 may be accomplished by a latch button1722 that is slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly 1720 that ismounted to the chassis 1240. The latch button 1722 may be biased in aproximal direction relative to the lock yoke 1712. As will be discussedin further detail below, the lock yoke 1712 may be moved to an unlockedposition by biasing the latch button the in distal direction which alsocauses the lock yoke 1712 to pivot out of retaining engagement with thedistal attachment flange 1700 of the frame 1020. When the lock yoke 1712is in “retaining engagement” with the distal attachment flange 1700 ofthe frame 1020, the lock lugs 1716 are retainingly seated within thecorresponding lock detents or grooves 1704 in the distal attachmentflange 1700.

When employing an interchangeable shaft assembly that includes an endeffector of the type described herein that is adapted to cut and fastentissue, as well as other types of end effectors, it may be desirable toprevent inadvertent detachment of the interchangeable shaft assemblyfrom the housing during actuation of the end effector. For example, inuse the clinician may actuate the closure trigger 32 to grasp andmanipulate the target tissue into a desired position. Once the targettissue is positioned within the end effector 1300 in a desiredorientation, the clinician may then fully actuate the closure trigger1032 to close the anvil 1306 and clamp the target tissue in position forcutting and stapling. In that instance, the first drive system 1030 hasbeen fully actuated. After the target tissue has been clamped in the endeffector 1300, it may be desirable to prevent the inadvertent detachmentof the shaft assembly 1200 from the housing 1012. One form of the latchsystem 1710 is configured to prevent such inadvertent detachment.

As can be most particularly seen in FIG. 22, the lock yoke 1712 includesat least one and preferably two lock hooks 1718 that are adapted tocontact corresponding lock lug portions 1256 that are formed on theclosure shuttle 1250. When the closure shuttle 1250 is in an unactuatedposition (i.e., the first drive system 1030 is unactuated and the anvil1306 is open), the lock yoke 1712 may be pivoted in a distal directionto unlock the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 from the housing 1012.When in that position, the lock hooks 1718 do not contact the lock lugportions 1256 on the closure shuttle 1250. However, when the closureshuttle 1250 is moved to an actuated position (i.e., the first drivesystem 1030 is actuated and the anvil 1306 is in the closed position),the lock yoke 1712 is prevented from being pivoted to an unlockedposition. Stated another way, if the clinician were to attempt to pivotthe lock yoke 1712 to an unlocked position or, for example, the lockyoke 1712 was in advertently bumped or contacted in a manner that mightotherwise cause it to pivot distally, the lock hooks 1718 on the lockyoke 1712 will contact the lock lugs 1256 on the closure shuttle 1250and prevent movement of the lock yoke 1712 to an unlocked position.

Attachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 to the handle 1014will now be described. To commence the coupling process, the clinicianmay position the chassis 1240 of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200above or adjacent to the distal attachment flange 1700 of the frame 1020such that the tapered attachment portions 1244 formed on the chassis1240 are aligned with the dovetail slots 1702 in the frame 1020. Theclinician may then move the shaft assembly 1200 along an installationaxis that is perpendicular to the shaft axis SA to seat the attachmentportions 1244 in “operable engagement” with the corresponding dovetailreceiving slots 1702. In doing so, the shaft attachment lug 1226 on theintermediate firing shaft 1222 will also be seated in the cradle 1126 inthe longitudinally movable drive member 1120 and the portions of pin1037 on the second closure link 1038 will be seated in the correspondinghooks 1252 in the closure yoke 1250. As used herein, the term “operableengagement” in the context of two components means that the twocomponents are sufficiently engaged with each other so that uponapplication of an actuation motion thereto, the components may carry outtheir intended action, function and/or procedure.

At least five systems of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 can beoperably coupled with at least five corresponding systems of the handle1014. A first system can comprise a frame system which couples and/oraligns the frame or spine of the shaft assembly 1200 with the frame 1020of the handle 1014. Another system can comprise a closure drive system1030 which can operably connect the closure trigger 1032 of the handle1014 and the closure tube 1260 and the anvil 1306 of the shaft assembly1200. As outlined above, the closure tube attachment yoke 1250 of theshaft assembly 1200 can be engaged with the pin 1037 on the secondclosure link 1038. Another system can comprise the firing drive system1080 which can operably connect the firing trigger 1130 of the handle1014 with the intermediate firing shaft 1222 of the shaft assembly 1200.As outlined above, the shaft attachment lug 1226 can be operablyconnected with the cradle 1126 of the longitudinal drive member 1120.Another system can comprise an electrical system which can signal to acontroller in the handle 1014, such as microcontroller, for example,that a shaft assembly, such as shaft assembly 1200, for example, hasbeen operably engaged with the handle 1014 and/or, two, conduct powerand/or communication signals between the shaft assembly 1200 and thehandle 1014. For instance, the shaft assembly 1200 can include anelectrical connector 1810 that is operably mounted to the shaft circuitboard 1610. The electrical connector 1810 is configured for matingengagement with a corresponding electrical connector 1800 on the handlecontrol board 1100. Further details regaining the circuitry and controlsystems may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,142, the entire disclosures ofeach which were previously incorporated by reference herein. The fifthsystem may consist of the latching system for releasably locking theshaft assembly 1200 to the handle 1014.

Surgical staplers have been used in the prior art to simultaneously makea longitudinal incision in tissue and apply lines of staples on opposingsides of the incision. Such instruments commonly include a pair ofcooperating jaw members that, if the instrument is intended forendoscopic or laparoscopic applications, are capable of passing througha cannula passageway. One of the jaw members receives a staple cartridgehaving at least two laterally spaced rows of staples. The other jawmember defines an anvil having staple-forming pockets aligned with therows of staples in the cartridge. The instrument includes a plurality ofreciprocating wedges which, when driven distally, pass through openingsin the staple cartridge and engage drivers supporting the staples toeffect the firing of the staples toward the anvil.

The simultaneous severing of tissue while forming rows of staples oneach side of the cut reduces bleeding and simplifies the surgicalprocedure. Increasingly, endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures arepreferred over open procedures due to their reduced post-operativerecovery times and other advantages. Endoscopic stapling and severinginstruments use a long slender jaw member that tends to deflect upwardlywhen clamped onto thick tissues. On thick tissue, this upward deflectionof the free (distal) end of the jaw can cause differences in height ofthe formed staples as the distal gap between the anvil and cartridge islarger than the proximal gap. To ensure more uniform proximal to distalstaple formation, the anvil is frequently cambered or bent inwardlytoward the staple cartridge. This camber is better for thick tissue andcan cause tighter staple forms at the distal end when used on thintissue. To overcome this tight distal closure, pins or bumps have beenadded to the clamping surface of the cartridge adjacent to the distalend of the cartridge. The closure of the anvil onto the pin ensures aminimum gap at the distal end. However, surgeons were concerned aboutthe pins or bumps causing tissue trauma.

Various arrangements have been developed to address such challenges. Onearrangement, for example, comprises an “E-beam” cutting head or firingbar that is configured to affirmatively space the anvil from theelongate channel that supports the staple cartridge. Such E-beam cuttinghead and firing bar arrangements are disclosed in, for example, U.S.Pat. No. 6,978,921, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATINGAN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 herein the tissue-cuttinghead comprises an E-beam 50 which can translate within the end effector16. As described above, the E-beam 50 can comprise a vertical portion 52which can pass through a narrow longitudinal anvil slot 58 extendingthrough a tissue-contacting surface 60 in the anvil 20, a narrowvertical slot 62 in the staple cartridge 42, and a narrow longitudinalchannel slot 64 in the elongate staple channel 40 when the E-beam 50 isadvanced distally. The anvil slot 58 can extend upwardly into the anvil20 and can comprise an end which opens into a laterally-widenedlongitudinal channel 66 sized and configured to receive an upper pin 54that extends laterally from the vertical portion 52. Similarly, thechannel slot 64 can extend downwardly into the channel 40 and cancomprise an end which opens into a laterally-widened longitudinalchannel 68 sized and configured to receive one or more lower feet 70extending laterally from the vertical portion 52. The E-beam 50 canfurther comprise one or more middle pins 72 which can extend laterallyfrom the vertical portion 52 and can be configured to slide along a topsurface of a bottom tray 74 of the staple cartridge 42. In certainembodiments, the middle pins 72 can be configured to seat the staplecartridge 42, or assure that the staple cartridge 42 remains seated, inthe channel 40. A longitudinal firing recess 75 formed in the staplecartridge 42 above the bottom tray 74 is sized to allow the middle pins72 to translate through the staple cartridge 42.

Various elongate channel arrangements include an elongate orlongitudinal slot that extends between a starting position of the E-beamcutting head in a proximal portion of the elongate channel and an endingposition adjacent the distal end of the elongate channel. The verticalportion of the E-beam cutting head extends through that longitudinalslot and the lower foot portion of the E-beam rides along the bottomsurface of the elongate channel. The foot portion may help affirmativelyspace the anvil relative to the elongate channel and can also serve asconvenient means for the clinician to ascertain the position of thecutting head in the elongate channel. By observing the position of thecutting head foot as the cutting head is advanced distally through thecartridge, the clinician will know exactly where the cutting head islocated within the cartridge. While providing an effective means forspacing the anvil and for monitoring the location of the cutting head,such arrangement does employ a longitudinal slot in the elongate channelwhich may reduce the channel stiffness as well as the channel'sresistance to twisting and spreading.

To avoid such spreading of the elongate channel, it may be desirable toeliminate the longitudinal slot to increase the resistance to twistingand spreading when stapling thick tissue. However, such arrangement mayeliminate the ability of the surgeon to see how far the stapling hasprogressed by observing the position of the knife foot. FIG. 32illustrates an elongate channel 6022 that may be similar to variouselongate channels disclosed herein including, for example, elongatechannels 22 and 302 except for the following differences. Elongatechannel 6022 may be molded, and/or machined and/or otherwise formed froma suitable polymer material and include a substantially solid bottomsurface portion 6024. The elongate channel 6022 is configured tooperably support a surgical staple cartridge (not shown) therein. Theelongate channel 6022 may include an elongate internal slot 6026 that isdefined by two inwardly extending ledge portions 6028. The inwardlyextending ledge portions 6028 also define an elongate internalpassageway 6030 between the ledge portions 6028 and the solid bottomportion 6024. While the elongate internal slot 6026 extends for most ofthe length of the elongate channel 6022, it does not extend through thebottom surface 6024 of the elongate channel 6022. The internalpassageway 6030 is sized to slidably accommodate the foot or feet thatare formed on or otherwise attached to the cutting head.

FIG. 42 illustrates, for example, an E-beam cutting head 6050 that maybe used in connection with the elongate channel 6022. However, as willbecome apparent, the elongate channel 6022 may also be used inconnection with a variety of different cutting head arrangements thatemploy a single foot or a plurality of feet on the bottom of the cuttinghead. Referring to FIG. 42, the cutting head 6050 includes a verticalportion 6052 that terminates with two laterally extending lower feet6070. The vertical portion 6052 is configured to pass through theelongate slot 6026 such that the lower feet 6070 are received under thecorresponding ledge portions 6028.

Referring again to FIG. 32, the elongate channel 6022 may furtherinclude a proximal channel opening 6040 that is provided in the proximalend of the bottom portion 6024 of the elongate channel 6022. Theproximal channel opening 6040 may afford the clinician with a view of atleast one of the feet 6070 or other portion(s) of the cutting head 6050when the cutting head 6050 is in a starting or unfired position. This“starting position” may also correspond to a position that the cuttinghead 6050 is in when cutting head 6050 is in a locked out position aswill be discussed in further detail below. Similarly a distal channelopening 6042 is provided in the distal end of the bottom portion 6024which affords the clinician with a view of at least one of the feet 6070or other portion(s) of the cutting head 6050 when the cutting head 6050is in its “fully-fired” or “ending position”. Such arrangement affordsthe clinician with a method for ascertaining whether the cutting head isin its starting or ending position while providing a relatively stifferelongate channel when compared to other channels that have alongitudinal slot that extends longitudinally through the bottom of theelongate channel. The proximal channel opening 6040 and the distalchannel opening 6042 may be shaped in the manners illustrated in FIG. 32to facilitate easy installation of the cutting head 6050 into theelongate channel 6022 (through proximal channel opening 6040) andremoval of the cutting head 6050 from the elongate channel 6022 (throughthe distal channel opening 6042) for example. Thus, the elongate channel6022 has a closed bottom with openings 6040, 6042 corresponding to thebeginning and end, respectively of the cutting head firing stroke. Sucharrangement allows for the visibility of the beginning and ending offiring as well as permitting the downward movement of the cutting headto a locked position as will be discussed in further detail below.

The elongate channel 6022 may be effectively employed with a cuttinghead assembly that is manually advanced or one that is advanced by meansof a motor-powered firing system. For example, the surgical instrument10 described above includes a cutting head 50 that is manually advancedby actuating the trigger 32. In various arrangements, the cutting head50 may be advanced from its starting to ending position by actuating thefiring trigger 32 three times. Thus, for example, activating the trigger32 one time may move the cutting head distally in the elongate channelone third of the distance between the starting position and the endingposition (“first firing position”). Activating the trigger a second timemay result in the cutting head 50 travelling two-thirds of the waybetween the starting and end position (“second firing position”) andactivating the trigger 32 a third time may result in the advancement ofthe cutting head 50 from the second firing position to the endingposition. Thus, when the cutting head 6050 is viewable through thedistal channel opening 6042, the clinician will know that the cuttinghead 6050 has been fully fired. Such elongate channel 6022 may also beemployed in connection with the powered surgical instrument 1010 (FIGS.19-22).

FIGS. 33-35 illustrate another elongate channel arrangement 6122 that issimilar to the elongate channel 6022 except for the noted differences.Those portions of the elongate channel arrangement 6122 that areidentical to portions of elongate channel arrangement 6022 will sharethe same element numbers. In particular, as can be seen in FIG. 33, aseries of spaced indicator openings 6144 are provided in the bottomportion 6124. The indicator openings 6144 may vary in number, size andspacing, but in at least one arrangement, the indicator openings 6144have the same size and are equally spaced in a line such that they openinto the elongate internal passageway 6030. As can be seen in thoseFigures, the indicator openings 6144 are round in shape. As can also beseen in FIG. 33, a light source 6160 may be mounted within a proximalend of the elongate channel 6122 such that the light source 6160projects light into the internal passageway 6030 (represented by thebroken line “L” in FIGS. 33 and 34). The light source 6160 may comprise,for example, one or more light emitting diodes (“LED's) or other lightsource arrangement that may receive power through a conductor 6164 thatis coupled to the handle of the surgical instrument or robotic system,etc. to which the elongate channel 6122 is operably attached. When thelight source 6160 is powered, the light will be projected into theinternal passageway 6030. When the cutting head 6050 is in the startingposition, the cutting head 6050 may block any light “L” from beingvisible through any of the indicator openings 6144. Thus, when no light“L” is visible through any of the indicator openings 6144, the clinicianwill know that the cutting head 6050 is in the starting position. As thecutting head 6050 is advanced distally past indicator openings 6144, thelight “L” will strike the cutting head 6050-and be visible at leastthrough the unobstructed indicator opening 6144 that is immediatelyproximal to the cutting head 6050 as shown in FIG. 34. Thus, sucharrangement enables the clinician to monitor the progress of the cuttinghead 6050 as it moves distally in the elongate channel 6122 from itsstarting position to its ending position. Such elongate channelarrangement is also more stiff and rigid than those elongate channelarrangements that have an elongate slot that extends completely throughmost of the bottom surface of the elongate channel. In one arrangementthe clinician can determine the position of the cutting head becausethere will be no light shining through the indicator opening where thecutting head is located. All of the other indicator openings will havelight shining through them. Thus in one arrangement, the “black” orunlit indicator opening is where the cutting head is located. In otherembodiments, the light source may be omitted. The clinician can stillmonitor the position of the cutting head 6050 in the elongate channel6122 by viewing the location of the feet 6070 through the indicatoropenings 6144.

FIG. 36 illustrates another elongate channel arrangement 6222 that issimilar to the elongate channel 6122 except for the noted differences.Those portions of the elongate channel arrangement 6222 that areidentical to portions of elongate channel arrangement 6122 will sharethe same element numbers. As can be seen in that Figure, a series ofspaced indicator openings 6144 are provided through the bottom surface6224. In the illustrated arrangement, the indicator openings 6144 havethe same size and shape but are provided through the bottom surface 6224at different spacing intervals. For example, the proximal-most indicatoropening 6144P may be spaced from the proximal opening 6040 a firstspacing distance “FSD” that enables, for example, at least one of thefeet 6070 or other portion of the cutting head 6050 to be viewedtherethrough when the cutting head 6050 is in the starting position.Likewise, the distal-most indicator opening 6144D may be spaced from theadjacent indicator opening 6144 a second spacing distance “SSD” that isdifferent from the first spacing distance FSD. As can be seen in FIG. 36for example, the SSD is greater than the FSD. The distal-most indicatoropening 6144D may correspond to the position of the cutting head 6050 inits ending position. Thus, the elongate channel arrangement 6222illustrates variable spaced indicator openings wherein the number ofopenings decrease as you move proximal to distal.

FIG. 37 illustrates another elongate channel arrangement 6322 that issimilar to the elongate channel 6122 except for the noted differences.Those portions of the elongate channel arrangement 6322 that areidentical to portions of elongate channel arrangement 6122 will sharethe same element numbers. As can be seen in that Figure, the elongatechannel arrangement 6322 includes a series of elongate discreteindicator openings 6144′. In the illustrated arrangement, the indicatoropenings 6144′ have the same size and shape and are arranged at equallyspaced intervals.

FIG. 38 illustrates another elongate channel arrangement 6422 that issimilar to the elongate channel 6222 except for the noted differences.Those portions of the elongate channel arrangement 6422 that areidentical to portions of elongate channel arrangement 6222 will sharethe same element numbers. As can be seen in that Figure, only two spaced“discrete” indicator openings 6144″ are provided through the bottomsurface 6424. In the illustrated arrangement, the indicator openings6144″ have the same size and shape but are provided through the bottomsurface 6424 at different spacing intervals. For example, theproximal-most indicator opening 6144P″ may be spaced from the proximalopening 6040 a first spacing distance “FSD” and the distal-mostindicator opening 6144D″ may be spaced from the proximal-most indicatoropening 6144″ a second spacing distance “SSD” that is different from thefirst spacing distance FSD. In at least one arrangement for example,when the elongate channel 6422 is employed with a cutting head assemblythat is manually advanced by actuating the firing trigger, at least onefoot or other portion of the cutting head assembly is viewable throughthe proximal indicator opening 6144P″ when the cutting head assembly isbeing advanced through the “first stroke” or first actuation of thefiring trigger. Likewise, at least one foot or other portion of thecutting head assembly is viewable through the distal most indicationopening 6144D″ during the second stroke or second actuation sequence ofthe firing trigger. Thus, the elongate channel 6422 includes elongateslot-shaped indicator openings as well as circular shaped indicatoropenings that provide more closure/less openings as you move proximal todistal.

FIG. 39 illustrates another elongate channel arrangement 6522 that issimilar to the elongate channel 6422 except for the noted differences.Those portions of the elongate channel arrangement 6522 that areidentical to portions of elongate channel arrangement 6422 will sharethe same element numbers. As can be seen in that Figure, the elongatechannel 6522 includes a combination of a proximal most elongateindicator opening 6144P″ that enables the clinician to view at least onefoot or other portion of the cutting head assembly during the firststroke or actuation sequence of the firing trigger along with acombination of the round, equally-spaced indicator openings 6144. Thus,the elongate channel 6522 employs a combination of slotted and elongateslots. Any one of the above-described elongate channel arrangements mayincorporate the light source 6160 that was specifically described hereinin connection with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 33 or they may beemployed without a light source.

Other cutting head monitoring arrangements may comprise, for example,one or more light source arrangements or light emitting diode (“LED”)arrangements that cast light down the openings in the channel or downthe slot inside of the channel. This would vastly increase the user'sability to locate where the cutting head is in its travels and determinewhether the overall stroke is complete. In some arrangements, forexample, the LED's could comprise multi-colored LED's that change fromgreen to blue (or other color arrangements) with the advancement of thecutting head down the channel further differentiating cutting headadvancement.

In various end effector arrangements, it may be desirable to employsystem for preventing the advancement or firing of the cutting headunless an unspent staple cartridge has been operably mounted in theelongate channel. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,649, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT and U.S.Pat. No. 7,044,352, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING ASINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, the entiredisclosures of each being hereby incorporated by reference hereindisclose various lockout systems. In such lockout arrangements, thecutting head or “firing bar” is normally biased into a locked positionby a spring arrangement. Until an unspent cartridge has been installedin the elongate channel, the cutting head cannot otherwise be advancedby the firing drive system of the surgical instrument.

Referring to FIGS. 40-42, there is shown a cutting head 6050 that isattached to a firing bar 6080. As shown, the firing bar 6080 is oflaminate construction. However the firing bar 6080 may be of solidconstruction. In either case, the firing bar 6080 operably interfaceswith the firing drive system of the surgical instrument as describedherein or as is otherwise known. Actuation of the firing drive systemaxially advances the firing bar 6080 and cutting head 6050 attachedthereto through the surgical staple cartridge that is mounted within theelongate channel 6122. The vertical portion 6052 of the cutting head6050 includes a tissue cutting surface 6053 that is located between anupper end portion 6054 and a central hook portion 6056. See FIG. 42. Anupper pin or upper tab 6058 extends laterally from each side of theupper end portion 6054. The upper tabs 6058 are configured to beslidably received within an upper passageway within an anvil that isoperably mounted to the elongate channel as will be further discussedbelow.

FIG. 41 illustrates the position of the cutting head 6050 and firing bar6080 when a surgical staple cartridge is not present within the elongatechannel 6122. When in that position, the firing bar 6080 and cuttinghead 6050 are biased in a downward direction “D” by a spring arm 6090 issupported by the shaft spine (not shown) that is coupled to the elongatechannel 6122. As can be seen in that Figure, the spring arm 6090 is insliding engagement with a spring tail 6082 that is formed in the distalend of the firing bar 6080. The bottom portion of the spring tail 6082is biased into a sloped surface 6123 formed on the elongate channel 6122when the cutting head 6050 is in that locked position as shown in FIG.41. As can be further seen in FIG. 41, when the cutting head 6050 is inthe locked position, if the clinician were to inadvertently try toadvance or “fire” the cutting head 6050 distally through the elongatechannel 6122, the lower feet or foot 6070 would contact the bottom ofthe elongate channel 6122. Stated another way, when the cutting head6050 is in the locked position, the feet 6070 are not aligned with theinternal passageway 6030 in the elongate channel 6122 and therefore thecutting head assembly 6050 could not be axially advanced therein. Theclinician will know that the cutting head is locked by observing theposition of the feet 6070 within the proximal opening 6040.

FIG. 40 illustrates the position of the cutting head 6050 and firing bar6080 when an unspent surgical staple cartridge has been operablysupported within the elongate channel 6122. Although the body of thesurgical staple cartridge is not shown in FIG. 40, a wedge sled assembly6078 is shown. It will be understood that the wedge sled assembly 6078will be in the position shown in FIG. 40 in an unfired or unspent staplecartridge. When in that position, the wedge sled assembly 6078 engageswith the hook portion 6056 on the cutting head 6050 to raise the cuttinghead 6050 in an upward direction (arrow “U” in FIG. 40) to a pointwherein, when the cutting head 6050 is advanced distally, the feet 6070thereon will enter the internal passage 6030 in the elongate channel6122. When employing the elongate channels that have closed bottoms orsubstantially closed bottoms such as those described herein, adimensional stack situation could conceivably occur wherein interferencebetween the channel bottom and the knife foot or feet could occur whenthe end effector is used to cut and staple extremely thin tissue. If thetissue is too thin, for example, the tissue compression resistance maynot be enough to push the anvil away from the elongate channel and loadthose two components against the cutting head tabs. If this situationoccurs, the knife foot or feet could extend below the bottom of theelongate channel far enough so that the cutting head could not bedistally advanced. The cutting head assembly 6050 and elongate channelarrangement 6122 depicted in FIGS. 40 and 41 may prevent this fromhappening.

As can be seen in FIGS. 40 and 41, for example, the distal end of eachfoot 6070 may have a chamfer 6072 formed thereon. The chamfer 6072 isconfigured to engage corresponding portions of the elongate channel 6122as the cutting head 6050 is advanced distally to cause the feet 6070 toenter the internal passage 6030. Thus the chamfers 6072 form small“lead-in” ramps which help to guide the feet 6070 into the passage 6030.As can also be seen in FIGS. 40 and 41, the portion of the elongatechannel 6122 defining the proximal end 6131 of the internal passage 6030may have a chamfer 6133 thereon or otherwise be sloped as shown. Inalternative arrangements, the feet 6070 (or single foot) may be providedwith the chamfer 6072 or the proximal end portion 6131 of the internalpassage 6030 may be provided with the chamfer 6133 or both chamferarrangements may be provided as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41.

FIGS. 43 and 44 illustrate an end effector 7016 that may be similar, forexample to end effector 16 or 300 or other end effectors disclosedherein. In this arrangement, the closure tube or sleeve 7028 has aseries of indicator openings 7144 therein that enable the clinician toview the firing bar 6080 therethrough. The firing bar 6080 may beprovided with a status mark 6084 thereon that may be viewed by theclinician through the indicator openings 7144 as the firing bar 6080 isadvanced distally. The status mark 6084 may simply comprise a paintedmark or other feature that would serve as a reference mark. In onearrangement, the status mark 6084 comprises one or more light emittingdiodes (LED's) or other light source that is powered by a source ofpower in the surgical instrument or surgical system to which the endeffector 7016 is attached.

FIG. 45 illustrates another end effector 7016 wherein a closure sleevesegment 7030 includes an indicator window 7032 that enables theclinician to determine whether cutting head is in its locked position.In this arrangement, if the clinician can see the spring tail 6082through the indicator window 7032, the cutting head is not in its lockedposition. If the clinician cannot see the spring tail 6082 through theindicator window 7032, the cutting head is in the locked position. Inalternative arrangements, the indicator window 7032 may be provided insuch a location (e.g.; lower in the closure sleeve segment) such that ifthe spring tail 6082 is visible through the indicator window 7032, thecutting head is in its locked position and if the spring tail 6082 isnot visible through the indicator opening, the cutting head is not inthe locked position. To assist the clinician in determining the positionof the cutting head, the cutting head may be provided in a particularbright or florescent color. These color arrangements may, for example,be Radium based. Furthermore, the color of the cutting head may varyalong its length to enable the clinician to easily ascertain itsposition.

FIG. 47 illustrates an anvil 7020 that includes a plurality or series ofindicator openings 7044 that provide viewing into a passage 7022 intowhich the upper end portion 6054 on the cutting head 6050 axiallypasses. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 47, the indicator openings7044 have a circular shape and are equally spaced along the length ofthe anvil 7020. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 48, the indicatoropenings 7044 are spaced closer together at the proximal end of theanvil 7020. The spacing between the indicator openings 7044 graduallyincreases moving distally in the anvil 7020. The size, shape and spacingof the indicator openings 7044 may vary, however. Referring to FIG. 42,an indicator member 6059 may be provided in the top end portion 6054 ofthe cutting head 6050. In one embodiment, the indicator member 6059comprises one or more light emitting diodes or other light sources thatmay obtain power from the surgical instrument through a conductor 6081that passes through the firing bar 6080. Such arrangement enables theclinician to view the position of the indicator member 6059 through theindicator openings 7044 in the anvil 7020 as the cutting head 6050 isadvanced through the end effector. In other arrangements, no indicatormember (led, light) may be provided in the cutting head. However, thetop end portion of the cutting head may be provided in a color orflorescent marking that would make increase its visibility through theindicator openings in the anvil. For example, the color may beradium-based. The cutting head may alternatively be provided with laserscribed numbers to provide a means for determining the position of thecutting head within the channel or anvil.

The anvil 7020 depicted in FIG. 46 employs an indicator system generallydesignated as 7200. In this embodiment, the indicator system 7200includes a flexible strip or wave spring 7202 that is journaled at leastat its proximal end 7204 in a slot 7021 provided in the anvil 7020. Thewave spring 7202 extends the length of the anvil 7020 and is at leastcoextensive with the portion of the anvil 7020 that has the indicatoropenings 7044 therethrough. As can be seen in FIG. 46, a series ofindicator members 7206 is attached to the flexible strip 7202 such thateach indicator member 7206 is slidably supported in a correspondingindicator opening 7044. Each indicator member 7206 is initiallysupported in its corresponding indicator opening 7044 such that it doesnot protrude therefrom. Stated another way, the wave spring 7202 isconfigured such that the indicator members 7206 are biased into theinitial position wherein they do not protrude out of their respectiveindicator opening 7044. However, as the cutting head 6050 is advanceddistally through the end effector, the top portion 6054 of the cuttinghead 6050 slides along the bottom of the wave spring 7202 and serves tobias the wave spring 7202 upward such that, as the cutting head slidesunder a portion of the wave spring 7202 to which an indicator member7206 is attached, the indicator member 7206 is caused to protrude out ofthe indicator opening 7044 as shown in FIG. 46. Thus, the clinician maymonitor the position of the cutting head 6050 within the end effector bynoting which indicator member 7206 is protruding out of its indicatoropening 7044.

Thus, several of the elongate channel arrangements disclosed hereinoffer vast improvements over prior elongate channel arrangements. Forexample, at least some of the elongate channel arrangements do notemploy an elongate slot that extends through the bottom surface of thechannel. Thus, such elongate channel arrangements tend to be stiffer andresist spreading during operation. These advantages are also achievedwhile providing the clinician with a means for monitoring the progressof the cutting head. For example, some elongate channel arrangementsprovide periodic visibility along the length of the channel to informthe clinician of where the cutting head is in the firing cycle. At leastsome of the elongate channel arrangement also enables the clinician tosee at least a portion of the cutting head when it is in the fullydeployed position and a well as when the cutting head is in the fullyretracted position. Furthermore at least some of the channel and/oranvil arrangements provide visibility of at least a portion of thecutting head from the side or top of the end effector or otherwiseprovide means for ascertaining the position of the cutting head from theside or top of the end effector.

As described above, a surgical staple cartridge operably supports aseries of staple drivers therein that each support one or more surgicalstaples thereon. The staple drivers are supported incorrespondingly-shaped staple pockets arranged in a linear orientationwithin the cartridge body. The surgical staples are movably supported onthe drivers such that when the drivers are driven upward in thecartridge, the staples are driven through the tissue that is clampedbetween the cartridge and the anvil into forming contact with theunderside of the anvil. When the anvil is opened, the staples remainwith the stapled tissue. Because the staples are ‘loosely” supported intheir respective pockets on their staple drivers, they could conceivablyfall out of the staple cartridge should the staple cartridge beinadvertently turned upside down prior to use. To avoid that fromhappening, cartridge covers are typically removably attached to thestaple cartridge prior to use. When attached to the cartridge, thecartridge cover covers the staple pockets to retain the staples thereinregardless of the position of the cartridge. When the clinician desiresto install the cartridge into an end effector, the cover may be removedprior to installation.

As was further discussed above, the staple drivers are sequentiallydriven upward within the cartridge by a wedge sled that is drivendistally with the cutting head assembly. In at least some arrangements,the wedge sled is therefore oriented in a proximal-most “starting”position in an unspent cartridge prior to firing. Indeed as was alsodiscussed above, at least some arrangements require interaction betweenthe wedge sled (when in its starting position) and the cutting head(when in its locked position) in order to move the cutting head out ofthe locked position to ready it for firing. In at least some priorarrangements, however, the cartridge lacked means or structure forensuring that the wedge sled remained in its starting position prior touse. The cartridge cover 7250 depicted in FIGS. 64 and 65 may addresssuch problem.

FIG. 64 illustrates a surgical staple cartridge 7220 that has acartridge body 7222 that operably supports a plurality of staple driverstherein (not shown) on each lateral side of a longitudinally-extendingslot 7224. The longitudinally-extending slot 7224 is configured tofacilitate the longitudinal travel of a cutting head through thecartridge. As can be seen in FIG. 65, the cartridge 7220 also supports awedge sled 7230 in a starting position adjacent the proximal end of thecartridge body 7222. FIGS. 64 and 65 also illustrate a cartridge cover7250 that includes a top portion 7252 that is configured to cover thecartridge deck 7226 when the cartridge cover 7250 is installed on thecartridge 7220. More specifically, the top portion 7252 is configured tocover all of the fastener cavity openings in the deck 7226 of thecartridge body 7222 when the top portion 7252 is in a “coveringposition”. The cartridge cover 7250 may be removably affixed to thestaple cartridge 7220 by a pair of flexible attachment arms 7254 thatare configured to retainingly engage the cartridge body 7222. Theclinician may easily remove the cartridge cover 7250 by prying theflexible attachment arms 7254 out of retaining engagement with thecartridge body 7222. The cartridge cover 7250 may further include a pairof downwardly extending lateral side plates 7255 that serve to locatethe cartridge cover 7250 in a desired position on the cartridge 7220.For example, the lateral side plates 7255 may be positioned to engage alaterally extending lip 7227 formed on each side of the cartridge deck7226. The cartridge cover 7250 may also include a centrally-disposedlocating fin 7256 that is orientated to be received within thelongitudinally-extending slot 7224 when the cartridge cover 7250 isattached to the cartridge 7220 as shown in FIG. 65. The locating fin7256 includes an engagement notch 7258 or other formation(s) that areconfigured to retainingly engage a portion of the wedge sled 7230 andretain the wedge sled 7230 in its starting position. Thus, when thecartridge cover 7250 is installed onto the staple cartridge 7220, thestaples are retained within their respective pockets regardless of theorientation of the cartridge 7220. In addition, the wedge sled 7230 isretained in its starting position. In various arrangements, the locatingfin may be sized relative to the longitudinally-extending slot 7224 toestablish a frictional fit therewith. In such arrangements, thefrictional fit may be employed to retain the cover 7250 in position onthe cartridge 7220 without the need for the attachment arms 7254. Inother arrangements, the frictional fit established between the locatingfin 7256 and the cartridge body 7222 as well as the attachment arms 7254may be employed to retain the cover 7250 on the cartridge body 7222 inthe covering position. In addition, retention ribs 7257 may be formed onthe locating fin 7256 to further establish a frictional fit with thecartridge body 7222. Also, as can be seen in FIG. 65, the distal end7221 of the surgical staple cartridge 7220 may have a nose surface 7223that is angularly oriented relative to the cartridge deck 7226. Invarious arrangements, the cartridge cover 7250 may also include a noseportion 7251 that is configured to retainingly engage the distal end7221 of the surgical staple cartridge 7220. For example, the noseportion 7251 may be configured to cover the nose surface 7223 of thecartridge 7220 and include a distal retention tab 7253 that is arrangedto hookingly engage the distal end 7221 of the cartridge 7220. Inaddition, a detachment tab or protrusion 7259 may be formed on the noseportion 7251 to facilitate detachment of the retention tab 7253 from thecartridge 7220. As such, in certain arrangements, the distal end of thecartridge cover 7250 is configured to allow it to absorb the full forceof a nose-down drop and transmit that force directly to the cartridge7220 with as little longitudinal movement of the cover 7250 with respectto the cartridge body 7222. Such arrangement serves to prevent the cover7250 from moving the sled 7230 proximally under such conditions. Whenthe clinician desires to use the cartridge 7220, the cartridge cover7250 is removed. In at least some arrangements, the cartridge cover 7250may be provided in a particular color that corresponds to a size ofstaples that are received within the staple cartridge 7220.

As discussed in detail above, in various embodiments the surgicalstaples are supported on “drivers” that are operably supported inpockets that are formed into the body of the staple cartridge. Variousforms of drivers may be employed. For example, a driver may beconfigured to support a single surgical staple, while other drivers maysupport multiple surgical staples. The drivers are supported in thecartridge body in longitudinally extending rows that are provided oneach lateral side of the centrally-disposed elongate slot thataccommodates passage of the cutting member or cutting head therethrough.As was previously discussed herein, the cutting head includes orcooperates with a wedge sled that is configured to sequentially contactthe drivers to drive them upward in their respective pockets. As thedriver moves upwardly in the staple cartridge, the surgical staple(s)supported thereon are driven upward through the tissue clamped betweenthe cartridge and the anvil and into forming contact with the undersideof the anvil.

As is known, the underside of the anvil includes a “staple-forming”surface that typically comprises a series of staple forming pockets thatare arranged to be contacted by the ends of the staple legs. The pocketsare situated and shaped such that when contacted by the staple legs, thelegs are urged to bend around in the pocket to ultimately form a closedstaple that roughly resembles a “B-shape”. Misalignment of the staplelegs during the forming process may cause the staple to become malformedwhich in severe cases may cause undesirable leakage. The staple driverconfiguration depicted in FIGS. 94 and 95 may help to maintain staplealignment during the firing process. Furthermore, if during the firingprocess, the driver is not maintained in proper alignment within itsrespective pocket, higher firing forces must be generated to fire thestaples supported thereon.

FIGS. 94 and 95 depict a “double” staple driver 7300. As can be seen inthose Figures, the staple driver 7300 includes a first driver portion7310 and a second driver portion 7350 that are separated in a“staggered” orientation by a centrally disposed separator portion 7340.The staple driver 7300 may be of one-piece construction and, forexample, be molded from a suitable polymer material. The first driverportion 7310 includes a centrally disposed first cavity 7312 thatdivides the first driver 7310 into a first proximal upstanding supportportion 7320 and a first distal upstanding support portion 7330. Thefirst proximal upstanding support portion 7320 has a first proximal bodyportion 7321 that has an upper end 7322 that has a first proximal cradlesection 7324 formed therein. Similarly, the first distal upstandingsupport portion 7330 has a first distal body portion 7331 that has afirst distal end 7332 that has a first distal cradle section 7334 formedtherein. The first proximal cradle section 7324 and first distal cradlesection 7334 are aligned and configured to support the base of surgicalstaple therein. As can be further seen in FIG. 94, the first proximalupstanding support portion 7320 has a somewhat tapered shape when viewedfrom above. Stated another way, the first proximal upstanding supportportion 7320 has a first proximal end 7326 that has a width “PW” that isless than a central width “CW” of the first proximal body portion 7321.Likewise, the first distal upstanding support portion 7330 has a firstdistal end 7336 that has a distal width “DW” that is less than a centralwidth “CW” of the first distal body portion 7331. In at least onearrangement, the distal width “DW” is equal to the proximal width “PW”.

Still referring to FIG. 94, the second driver portion 7350 includes acentrally disposed second cavity 7352 that divides the second driverportion 7310 into a second proximal upstanding support portion 7360 anda second distal upstanding support portion 7370. The second proximalupstanding support portion 7360 has a second proximal body portion 7361that has an upper end 7362 that has a second proximal cradle section7364 formed therein. Similarly, the second distal upstanding supportportion 7370 has a second distal body portion 7371 that has a seconddistal end 7372 that has a second distal cradle section 7374 formedtherein. The second proximal cradle section 7364 and second distalcradle section 7374 are aligned and configured to support the base ofanother surgical staple therein. As can be further seen in FIG. 94, thesecond proximal upstanding support portion 7360 has a somewhat taperedshape when viewed from above. Stated another way, the second proximalupstanding support portion 7360 has a proximal end 7366 that has a width“PW” that is less than a central width “CW” of the second proximal bodyportion 7361. Likewise, the second distal upstanding support portion7370 has a distal end 7376 that has a distal width “DW” that is lessthan a central width “CW” of the second distal body portion 7371. Thus,the first driver portion 7310 and the second driver portion 7350 havesimilar shapes.

To provide the staple driver 7300 with more stability during the firingprocess, the first and second driver portions 7310, 7350 may be furtherprovided with stabilizer arrangements that cooperate withcomplementary-shaped staple pockets in the staple cartridge body. Forexample, the first staple driver portion 7310 may have a first proximalset 7327 of laterally-protruding support columns 7328, 7329 formed onthe first proximal end 7326 thereof. A first distal set 7337 oflaterally-protruding support columns 7338, 7339 may also be provided onthe first distal end 7336 of the first distal upstanding support portion7330 as shown. Likewise, the second staple driver portion 7350 may havea second proximal set 7367 of laterally-protruding support columns 7368,7369 formed on the second proximal end 7366 thereof. A second distal set7377 of laterally-protruding support columns 7378, 7379 may also beprovided on the second distal end 7376 of the second distal upstandingsupport portion 7370 as shown.

As indicated above, the staple driver 7300 is movably supported with acomplimentary shaped staple pocket in the staple cartridge. As the wedgesled is driven distally, a corresponding portion thereof drivinglycontacts the centrally disposed separator portion 7340 and drives thedriver 7300 upward. Each of the laterally-protruding support columns7328, 7329, 7338, 7339, 7368, 7369, 7378 and 7379 are received incorrespondingly-shaped grooves in the staple cartridge body and serve tomaintain the alignment of the driver 7300 and prevent twisting thereofduring its advancement toward the anvil. In one arrangement, the driver7300 is molded or otherwise formed from solid material. In otherarrangements, however, the first driver portion 7310 and the seconddriver portion 7350 may be hollow to enable those portions of the driver7300 to be somewhat flexible and compliant to further maintain thealignment of the driver in its respective pocket and thereby furtherreduce the driving force required. In either arrangement, by providingthe alignment columns on both ends of both driver portions, alignment ofthe driver within its respective pocket is further enhanced.

FIG. 96 depicts another “double” staple driver 7400 that is configuredto be received in a complementary-shaped staple pocket formed in thebody of a surgical staple cartridge. As can be seen in FIG. 96, thestaple driver 7400 includes a first driver portion 7410 and a seconddriver portion 7450 that are separated in a “staggered” orientation by acentrally disposed separator portion 7440. The staple driver 7400 may beof one-piece construction and, for example, be molded from a suitablepolymer material. The first driver portion 7410 includes a centrallydisposed first cavity 7412 that divides the first driver 7410 into afirst proximal upstanding support portion 7420 and a first distalupstanding support portion 7430. The first proximal upstanding supportportion 7420 has a first proximal body portion 7421 that has an upperend 7422 that has a first proximal cradle section 7424 formed therein.Similarly, the first distal upstanding support portion 7430 has a firstdistal body portion 7431 that has a first distal end 7432 that has afirst distal cradle section 7434 formed therein. The first proximalcradle section 7424 and first distal cradle section 7434 are aligned andconfigured to support the base of surgical staple therein. As can befurther seen in FIG. 96, the first proximal upstanding support portion7420 and the first distal upstanding support portion each have has asomewhat tapered shape.

Still referring to FIG. 96, the second driver portion 7450 includes acentrally disposed second cavity 7452 that divides the second driverportion 7450 into a second proximal upstanding support portion 7460 anda second distal upstanding support portion 7470. The second proximalupstanding support portion 7460 has a second proximal body portion 7461that has an upper end 7462 that has a second proximal cradle section7464 formed therein. Similarly, the second distal upstanding supportportion 7470 has a second distal body portion 7471 that has a seconddistal end 7472 that has a second distal cradle section 7474 formedtherein. The second proximal cradle section 7464 and second distalcradle section 7474 are aligned and configured to support the base ofanother surgical staple therein.

To provide the staple driver 7400 with more stability during the firingprocess, the first and second driver portions 7410, 7450 may be furtherprovided with stabilizer arrangements that cooperate withcomplementary-shaped staple pockets in the staple cartridge body. Forexample, the first staple driver portion 7410 may have a first proximalset 7427 of laterally-protruding support columns 7428, 7429 formed onthe first proximal body portion 7421. A first distal set 7437 oflaterally-protruding support columns 7438, 7439 may also be provided onthe first distal body portion 7431 of the first distal upstandingsupport portion 7430 as shown. Likewise, the second staple driverportion 7450 may have a second proximal set 7467 of laterally-protrudingsupport columns 7468, 7469 formed on the second proximal body portion7461. A second distal set 7477 of laterally-protruding support columns7478, 7479 may also be provided on the second distal body portion 7471of the second distal upstanding support portion 7470 as shown.

As indicated above, the staple driver 7400 is movably supported with acomplimentary-shaped staple pocket in the staple cartridge. As the wedgesled is driven distally, a corresponding portion thereof drivinglycontacts the centrally disposed separator portion 7440 and drives thedriver 7400 upward. Each of the laterally-protruding support columns7428, 7429, 7438, 7439, 7468, 7469, 7478 and 7479 are received incorrespondingly-shaped grooves in the staple cartridge body and serve tomaintain the alignment of the driver 7400 and prevent twisting thereofdriving its advancement toward the anvil. In one arrangement, the driver7400 is molded or otherwise formed from solid material. In otherarrangements, however, the first driver portion 7410 and the seconddriver portion 7450 may be hollow to enable those portions of the driver7400 to be somewhat flexible and compliant to further maintain thealignment of the driver in its respective pocket and thereby furtherreduce the driving force required. In either arrangement, by providingthe alignment columns on both ends of both driver portions, alignment ofthe driver within its respective pocket is further enhanced.

FIG. 97 illustrates a staple or driver pocket 7510 that is formed in abody portion 7502 of a staple cartridge 7500. This staple or driverpocket 7510 is configured to operably support a complementary-shaped“single” staple driver therein. As can be seen in that Figure, thestaple pocket 7510 is formed with two inwardly-extending proximal columnmembers 7512, 7514 and two inwardly extending distal columns 7516, 7518.The columns 7512, 7514, 7516 and 7518 are configured to slidably extendinto corresponding lateral grooves provided in the staple driver. Suchdriver pocket configurations serve to provide further stabilization andalignment of the driver as it is driven from the pocket. Although FIG.97 illustrates a staple or driver pocket that is configured to operablysupport a single staple driver therein, the same concept may be appliedto those driver pockets that are configured to support drivers that areconstructed to support multiple surgical staples. For example, thesupport columns employed in the driver embodiments illustrated in FIGS.94-96 may be replaced with grooves that are configured to slidablyreceive corresponding columns formed in the sides of the staple pocketsin the cartridge body.

As illustrated in FIGS. 94-96, various driver arrangements essentiallymay include a driver body or driver body portion that includes an outersurface as well as a leading and trailing end. In various arrangements,the outer surface may be sized and shaped to avoid contact with anyportions of the inner wall of the staple pocket in which is it movablysupported—except for the laterally extending features/support columnsformed thereon. For example, the double staple driver 7400 depicted inFIG. 96 includes a first driver portion 7410 and a second driver portion7450. The first driver portion 7410 and the second driver portion 7450may be sized relative to a staple pocket such that the only portionsthat are in contact with the inner wall of the staple pocket are thelaterally extending features formed thereon such as elements 7428, 7429,7438, 7439, 7468, 7469. The proximal-most end of the first driverportion 7410 may comprise the “leading end” and the distal-most end ofthe second driver portion 7450 may comprise the “trailing end”. In stillanother arrangement, for example, the leading end and the trailing endmay be sized relative to the corresponding portions of the staple pocketin which they are received such that the clearance between those endsand their corresponding pocket portions is less than the clearancebetween the other driver portions and the other portions of the staplepocket. Such amounts of clearance may be sized to improve lateralstability of the driver during actuation without establishing africtional fit between the outer surface of the driver and the innerwall of the staple pocket. In another arrangement, the driver may beconfigured (e.g., sized and shaped) relative to the staple pocket suchthat the only portion(s) of the driver that contact the inner wallportions of the staple pocket consist of one or more formations (supportcolumns) on the leading and/or the trailing ends of the driver.Conversely, one or more grooves may be provided in the leading and/ortrailing ends that are configured to receive corresponding formations onthe inner wall portions of the staple pocket—with those formations beingthe only point(s) of contact between the driver and the inner walls ofthe staple pocket during actuation of the driver. As indicated above,the drivers may generally be supported in the cartridge body inlongitudinally extending rows of staple pockets that are provided oneach lateral side of the centrally-disposed elongate slot thataccommodates passage of the cutting member or cutting head therethrough.In certain arrangements, the various drivers disclosed herein thatemploy one or more support columns/laterally extending features may beemployed in one or more longitudinal rows of staple pockets (or portionsof longitudinal rows) on one or both sides of the elongate slot. Forexample, the row of staple pockets on each side of the elongate slotthat is the closest to the edge of the cartridge body may includedrivers that employ the support column/laterally extending formations,but the other rows of staple pockets may employ conventional drivers.This arrangement may also be employed with staple pockets 7510. That is,the staple pockets 7510 may only be employed in certain longitudinalrows of staple pockets (or portions of longitudinal lines) on one orboth sides of the elongate slot.

Tissue flow can be one of the contributing issues to staplemalformations. During stapling, the tissue flows both distally andlaterally, with the lateral motion being more detrimental that thelongitudinal. With tissue flow and high compressive forces, the staplesare directed laterally and distally from their respective pockets. Bytightening up the fit between the driver and the portions of thecartridge adjacent to it, the staple has less ability to rock to theside or front during firing because the driver also has less ability torock. The various driver and staple pocket arrangements disclosed hereinserve to minimize such rocking. The support columns/laterally extendingfeatures disclosed herein may be provided on all of the drivers orsimply to drivers in specific regions (e.g., the drivers in the outerrows within the cartridge). Such support columns/laterally extendingfeatures may be on the sides of the driver, the ends of the driver orboth, for example. The term “support column” as used to describe thedriver stabilization arrangements disclosed herein encompasses thevarious laterally extending, vertically-elongate formations as shown inthe present Figures. The term “support column” may also encompass avariety of differently-shaped laterally extending features that areconfigured to be movably received in correspondingly shaped groovesprovided in the inner wall of the staple pocket (in arrangements whereinthe support columns/laterally extending features are on the driver) orin the various driver portions (in arrangements wherein the supportcolumns/laterally extending features protrude from the inner walls ofthe staple pocket), whichever the case may be. A support column may, forexample, comprise a single laterally extending feature or it maycomprise a plurality of aligned laterally extending features. Forexample, a support column may consist of column segments or alignedportions/formations. In still other arrangements, other protrusionshapes may be employed.

With regard to the various embodiments disclosed herein, a fastenercartridge can include a layer of material which is implantable into apatient. Such a layer can comprise one or more pieces of buttressmaterial and/or one or more tissue thickness compensators, for example.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/097,856, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGECOMPRISING STAPLES POSITIONED WITHIN A COMPRESSIBLE PORTION THEREOF,which was filed on Apr. 29, 2011, is incorporated by reference herein.Turning now to FIGS. 99-102, a staple cartridge 8000 includes acartridge body 8010 and an implantable layer 8020. The cartridge body8010 includes a proximal end 8012, a distal end 8014, and a deck 8016extending between the proximal end 8012 and the distal end 8014. Thedeck 8016 is configured to support tissue when the tissue is clampedbetween the staple cartridge 8000 and an anvil. The cartridge body 8010further includes fastener cavities defined therein which are eachconfigured to store a fastener, such as a staple, for example, therein.Each fastener cavity includes a proximal end and a distal end. Theproximal end of each fastener cavity is closer to the proximal end 8012of the cartridge body 8010 than the distal end of each fastener cavityand, correspondingly, the distal end of each fastener cavity is closerto the distal end 8014 of the cartridge body 8010.

Further to the above, the cartridge body 8010 comprises projectionsextending from the deck 8016. In various instances, the projections canbe arranged in any suitable arrangement. For instance, distalprojections 8017 can be positioned adjacent the distal ends of thefastener cavities while proximal projections 8019 can be positionedadjacent the proximal ends of the fastener cavities. Similar to theabove, the distal projections 8017 and/or the proximal projections 8019can be configured to guide the fasteners stored in the fastener cavitiesas the fasteners are ejected from the fastener cavities. In suchinstances, the distal projections 8017 and/or the proximal projections8019 can extend the fastener cavities above the deck 8016. Some fastenercavities may have an adjacent distal projection 8017 and a proximalprojection 8019 while other fastener cavities may only have one or theother. Some fastener cavities may have neither a distal projection 8017nor a proximal projection 8019 associated therewith.

Layer 8020 comprises a layer body 8026 which includes a proximal end8022 and a distal end 8024. The proximal end 8022 of the layer body 8026is positioned adjacent or relative to the proximal end 8012 of thecartridge body 8010 and the distal end 8024 is positioned adjacent orrelative to the distal end 8014. In certain instances, the layer 8026can comprise a solid sheet of material. In various instances, the layerbody 8026 can extend over one or more fastener cavities defined in thecartridge body 8010. In at least one such instance, the layer body 8026includes portions 8025 which extend over the fastener cavities. When thefasteners are ejected from the fastener cavities, the fasteners cancapture the portions 8025 therein thereby retaining the layer 8020 tothe tissue. In some instances, the layer body 8026 can comprise openingsaligned with some of the fastener cavities in the cartridge body 8010.

The layer body 8026 can comprise apertures defined therein which arealigned with the projections extending from the deck 8016. For instance,the layer body 8026 can comprise distal apertures 8027 which are alignedwith at least some of the distal projections 8017 and/or proximalapertures 8029 which are aligned with at least some of the distalprojections 8019. In various instances, the distal apertures 8027 andthe distal projections 8017 can be sized and configured such that thereis clearance therebetween. Similarly, the proximal apertures 8029 andthe proximal projections 8019 can be sized and configured such thatthere is clearance therebetween. In some instances, the distal apertures8027 and the distal projections 8017 can be sized and configured suchthat there is an interference fit therebetween. Also, similarly, theproximal apertures 8029 and the proximal projections 8019 can be sizedand configured such that there is an interference fit therebetween. Inat least one such instance, the interference fit between the projectionsand the apertures can releasably retain the layer 8020 to the cartridgebody 8010. In use, the fasteners stored in the cartridge body 8010 cancontact the portions 8025 of the layer 8020 as the fasteners are ejectedfrom the cartridge body 8010 and lift the layer 8020 away from the deck8016 and disengage the apertures from the projections.

The layer body 8026 can include apertures 8028 which are each configuredto receive a distal projection 8017 and a proximal projection 8019therein. Each aperture 8028 can comprise an elongate slot having aproximal end configured to receive a distal projection 8017 and a distalend configured to receive a proximal projection 8019. In some instances,a clearance fit may be present between the apertures 8028 and theprojections 8017 and 8019. In certain instances, an interference fit maybe present between the apertures 8028 and the projections 8017 and 8019to releasably retain the layer 8020 to the cartridge body 8010. In atleast one instance, the apertures 8028 can be sized and configured tostretch to accommodate a distal projection 8017 and a proximalprojection 8019 therein.

The layer 8020 can be removably affixed to the cartridge body 8010. Incertain instances, the distal end 8024 of the layer 8020 can beremovably attached to the distal end 8014 of the cartridge body 8010. Insome instances, the proximal end 8022 of the layer 8020 can be removablyattached to the proximal end 8012 of the cartridge body 8010. In atleast one example, attachment portions 8021 can be utilized toreleasably hold the layer 8020 to the cartridge body 8010.

A layer, such as buttress material, for example, may be made from anybiocompatible material. Buttress material may be formed from a naturalmaterial and/or a synthetic material. Buttress material may bebioabsorbable and/or non-bioabsorbable. It should be understood that anycombination of natural, synthetic, bioabsorbable and non-bioabsorbablematerials may be used to form buttress material. Some non-limitingexamples of materials from which the buttress material may be madeinclude, but are not limited to, poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid),poly(hydroxybutyrate), poly(phosphazine), polyesters, polyethyleneglycols, polyethylene oxides, polyacrylamides,polyhydroxyethylmethylacrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohols, polyacrylic acid, polyacetate, polycaprolactone,polypropylene, aliphatic polyesters, glycerols, poly(amino acids),copoly(ether-esters), polyalkylene oxalates, polyamides,poly(iminocarbonates), polyalkylene oxalates, polyoxaesters,polyorthoesters, polyphosphazenes and copolymers, block copolymers,homopolymers, blends and/or combinations thereof, for example.

Natural biological polymers can be used in forming the buttressmaterial. Suitable natural biological polymers include, but are notlimited to, collagen, gelatin, fibrin, fibrinogen, elastin, keratin,albumin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose, oxidized cellulose,hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, chitan, chitosan, and/or combinations thereof, for example.Natural biological polymers may be combined with any of the otherpolymeric materials described herein to produce the buttress material.Collagen of human and/or animal origin, e.g., type I porcine or bovinecollagen, type I human collagen or type III human collagen may be usedto form the buttress material. The buttress material may be made fromdenatured collagen or collagen which has at least partially lost itshelical structure through heating or any other method, consisting mainlyof non-hydrated a chains, of molecular weight close to 100 kDa, forexample. The term “denatured collagen” means collagen which has lost itshelical structure. The collagen used for the porous layer as describedherein may be native collagen or atellocollagen, notably as obtainedthrough pepsin digestion and/or after moderate heating as definedpreviously, for example. The collagen may have been previouslychemically modified by oxidation, methylation, succinylation, ethylationand/or any other known process.

Where the buttress material is fibrous, the fibers may be filaments orthreads suitable for knitting or weaving or may be staple fibers, suchas those frequently used for preparing non-woven materials. The fibersmay be made from any biocompatible material. The fibers may be formedfrom a natural material or a synthetic material. The material from whichthe fibers are formed may be bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable. Itshould be understood that any combination of natural, synthetic,bioabsorbable and non-bioabsorbable materials may be used to form thefibers. Some non-limiting examples of materials from which the fibersmay be made include, but are not limited to, poly(lactic acid),poly(glycolic acid), poly(hydroxybutyrate), poly(phosphazine),polyesters, polyethylene glycols, polyethylene oxides, polyacrylamides,polyhydroxyethylmethylacrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohols, polyacrylic acid, polyacetate, polycaprolactone,polypropylene, aliphatic polyesters, glycerols, poly(amino acids),copoly(ether-esters), polyalkylene oxalates, polyamides,poly(iminocarbonates), polyalkylene oxalates, polyoxaesters,polyorthoesters, polyphosphazenes and copolymers, block copolymers,homopolymers, blends and/or combinations thereof. Where the buttressmaterial is fibrous, the buttress material may be formed using anymethod suitable to forming fibrous structures including, but not limitedto, knitting, weaving, non-woven techniques and the like, for example.Where the buttress material is a foam, the porous layer may be formedusing any method suitable to forming a foam or sponge including, but notlimited to the lyophilization or freeze-drying of a composition, forexample.

The buttress material may possesses haemostatic properties. Illustrativeexamples of materials which may be used in providing the buttressmaterial with the capacity to assist in stopping bleeding or hemorrhageinclude, but are not limited to, poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid),poly(hydroxybutyrate), poly(caprolactone), poly(dioxanone),polyalkyleneoxides, copoly(ether-esters), collagen, gelatin, thrombin,fibrin, fibrinogen, fibronectin, elastin, albumin, hemoglobin,ovalbumin, polysaccharides, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate,hydroxyethyl starch, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose, oxidizedcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose,carboxymethyl cellulose, chitan, chitosan, agarose, maltose,maltodextrin, alginate, clotting factors, methacrylate, polyurethanes,cyanoacrylates, platelet agonists, vasoconstrictors, alum, calcium, RGDpeptides, proteins, protamine sulfate, epsilon amino caproic acid,ferric sulfate, ferric subsulfates, ferric chloride, zinc, zincchloride, aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfates, aluminum acetates,permanganates, tannins, bone wax, polyethylene glycols, fucans and/orcombinations thereof, for example. The use of natural biologicalpolymers, and in particular proteins, may be useful in forming buttressmaterial having haemostatic properties. Suitable natural biologicalpolymers include, but are not limited to, collagen, gelatin, fibrin,fibrinogen, elastin, keratin, albumin and/or combinations thereof, forexample. Natural biological polymers may be combined with any otherhaemostatic agent to produce the porous layer of the buttress. Theentire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,496,683, entitled BUTTRESS ANDSURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUS, which issued on Jul. 30, 2013, isincorporated by reference herein.

The entire disclosures of:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE,which issued on Apr. 4, 1995;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVINGSEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which issued on Feb. 21,2006;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING ANDFASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which issued onSep. 9, 2008;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENTWITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS, which issued on Dec.16, 2008;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING ANARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2, 2010;

U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, whichissued on Jul. 13, 2010;

U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,803, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES; now U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,537;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL CUTTINGAND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed Feb. 14, 2008;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,873, entitled END EFFECTORS FORA SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 15, 2008, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,980,443;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,782, entitled MOTOR-DRIVENSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,411;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117, entitled POWERED SURGICALCUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100, entitled MOTOR-DRIVENSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROLASSEMBLY, filed Dec. 24, 2009; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,688;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,461, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE,filed Sep. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,613;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,870;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0298719;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/524,049, entitled ARTICULATABLESURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, filed on Jun. 15, 2012;now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0334278;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGETISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013;

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICALCUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM,filed Jan. 31, 2006; and

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, filed Apr. 22,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040, are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

Although the various embodiments of the devices have been describedherein in connection with certain disclosed embodiments, manymodifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented.Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, othermaterials may be used. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, asingle component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiplecomponents may be replaced by a single component, to perform a givenfunction or functions. The foregoing description and following claimsare intended to cover all such modification and variations.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after asingle use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In eithercase, however, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at leastone use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps ofdisassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement ofparticular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the devicecan be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts ofthe device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination.Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the device can bereassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, orby a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device canutilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement,and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioneddevice, are all within the scope of the present application.

Preferably, the invention described herein will be processed beforesurgery. First, a new or used instrument is obtained and if necessarycleaned. The instrument can then be sterilized. In one sterilizationtechnique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container,such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument are thenplaced in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such asgamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation killsbacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilizedinstrument can then be stored in the sterile container. The sealedcontainer keeps the instrument sterile until it is opened in the medicalfacility.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or inpart, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein isincorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materialsdoes not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or otherdisclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to theextent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth hereinsupersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference.Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated byreference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions,statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only beincorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between thatincorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical end effector, comprising: an elongatechannel including a bottom including a proximal end and a distal end,the elongate channel being configured to operably support a staplecartridge therein; a firing element configured to translate between astarting position adjacent the proximal end of the bottom of theelongate channel and an ending position adjacent the distal end of thebottom of the elongate channel; a proximal channel opening through theproximal end of the bottom of the elongate channel to facilitate viewingof firing element therethrough when the firing element is in thestarting position; and a distal channel opening through the distal endof the bottom of the elongate channel to facilitate viewing of thefiring element therethrough when the firing element is in the endingposition, and wherein a portion of the bottom of the elongate channelextending between the proximal channel opening and the distal channelopening is closed and has no other openings therethrough.
 2. Thesurgical end effector of claim 1, wherein the portion of the bottom ofthe elongate channel extending between the proximal channel opening anddistal channel opening includes a plurality of discrete indicatoropenings therethrough to provide progressive viewing of the firingelement therethrough as the firing element moves between the startingposition and ending position.
 3. The surgical end effector of claim 2,wherein the plurality of discrete indicator openings are spaced fromeach other an equal distance.
 4. The surgical end effector of claim 2,wherein the plurality of discrete indicator openings are spaced fromeach other at unequal spacing distances.
 5. The surgical end effector ofclaim 4, wherein said plurality of discrete indicator openingscomprises: a first discrete indicator opening through the bottom of theelongate channel; a second discrete indicator opening through the bottomof the elongate channel, the second discrete indicator opening beingdistally spaced from said first discrete indicator opening a firstspacing distance; a third discrete indicator opening through the bottomof the elongate channel, the third discrete indicator opening beingdistally spaced from said second discrete indicator opening a secondspacing distance that differs from said first spacing distance; and afourth discrete indicator opening through the bottom of the elongatechannel, the fourth discrete indicator opening being distally spacedfrom said third discrete indicator opening a third spacing distance thatdiffers from said first and second spacing distance.
 6. The surgical endeffector of claim 5, wherein said third spacing distance is greater thansaid second spacing distance.
 7. The surgical end effector of claim 6,wherein said second spacing distance is greater than said first spacingdistance.
 8. The surgical end effector of claim 2, wherein saidplurality of discrete indicator openings comprises: a first discreteindicator opening through the bottom of the elongate channel, the firstdiscrete indicator opening being distally spaced from the proximalchannel opening a first spacing distance; a second discrete indicatoropening through the bottom of the elongate channel, the second discreteindicator opening being distally spaced from said first discreteindicator opening a second spacing distance; a third discrete indicatoropening through the bottom of the elongate channel, the third discreteindicator opening being distally spaced from said second discreteindicator opening a third spacing distance; and a fourth discreteindicator opening through the bottom of the elongate channel, the fourthdiscrete indicator opening being distally spaced from said thirddiscrete indicator opening a fourth spacing distance.
 9. The surgicalend effector of claim 8, wherein said first, second, third and fourthspacing distances are equal.
 10. The surgical end effector of claim 8,wherein said first, second, third and fourth spacing distances areunequal.
 11. The surgical end effector of claim 10, wherein: said secondspacing distance is greater than said first spacing distance; said thirdspacing distance is greater than said second spacing distance; and saidfourth spacing distance is greater than said third spacing distance. 12.The surgical end effector of claim 10, wherein: said second spacingdistance is less than said first spacing distance; said third spacingdistance is less than said second spacing distance; and said fourthspacing distance is less than said third spacing distance.
 13. Thesurgical end effector of claim 2, wherein said plurality of discreteindicator openings comprises a plurality of discrete elongated slots.14. The surgical end effector of claim 2, wherein said plurality ofdiscrete indicator openings comprises at least one discrete round holeand at least one discrete elongate slot.
 15. The surgical end effectorof claim 1, wherein the firing element comprises a vertical portionincluding at least one laterally extending lower foot and wherein theelongate channel includes an internal passage for receiving the at leastone laterally extending lower foot when the firing element moves betweenthe starting position and ending position.
 16. The surgical end effectorof claim 15, wherein the portion of the bottom of the elongate channelextending between the proximal channel opening and distal channelopening includes a plurality of indicator openings therethrough into theinternal passage to provide progressive viewing of the at least onelaterally extending lower foot of the firing element therethrough as thefiring element moves between the starting position and ending position.17. The surgical end effector of claim 1, further comprising an anvilsupported for movable travel relative to the elongate channel, the anvilincluding means for monitoring movement of the firing element betweenthe starting position and ending position.
 18. The surgical end effectorof claim 17, wherein the means for monitoring comprises a plurality ofindicator openings through said anvil to provide viewing of the firingelement as the firing element moves between the starting and endingpositions.
 19. A surgical end effector, comprising: an elongate channelconfigured to operably support a staple cartridge; and an anvilcomprising a staple forming surface and an exterior surface, wherein aplurality of discrete apertures are defined through said anvil from saidexterior surface to said staple forming surface.
 20. The surgical endeffector of claim 19, wherein said plurality of openings comprise aplurality of discrete longitudinal slots.
 21. The surgical end effectorof claim 19, further comprising: a firing element configured totranslate between a starting position and an ending position within theelongate channel; and an indicator movably supported in each of thediscrete apertures in the anvil, each indicator being movable within thecorresponding aperture between a first position within the aperture anda second position wherein a portion of the indicator protrudes from thecorresponding aperture upon contact with a portion of the firingelement.
 22. A surgical end effector comprising: a hollow shaft; anelongate channel operably interfacing with the hollow shaft and beingconfigured to operably support a staple cartridge; a firing elementconfigured to translate between a starting position adjacent a proximalend of the elongate channel and an ending position adjacent a distal endof the elongate channel; an elongate firing bar coupled to the firingelement and movably supported within the hollow shaft; at least onestatus mark on the elongate firing bar; and a plurality of indicatoropenings through a portion of the hollow shaft to provide viewing of theat least one status mark on the elongate firing bar as the elongatefiring bar is moved within the hollow shaft.
 23. A surgical endeffector, comprising: an elongate channel including a bottom including aproximal end and a distal end, the elongate channel being configured tooperably support a staple cartridge therein; a firing element configuredto translate between a first position adjacent the proximal end of thebottom of the elongate channel and an ending position adjacent thedistal end of the bottom of the elongate channel, the firing elementincluding a vertical portion and at least one laterally extending lowerfoot; an internal passage extending within the elongate channel andconfigured to receive the at least one laterally extending lower footwhen the firing element moves between the first position and endingposition; a proximal channel opening through the proximal end of thebottom of the elongate channel to facilitate viewing of firing elementtherethrough when the firing element is in the first position, theproximal channel opening sized to receive therein the at least onelaterally extending lower foot on the firing element; and means forguiding the at least one lower foot on the firing element out of theproximal channel opening into the internal passage upon initialapplication of a firing motion to the firing element.
 24. The surgicalend effector of claim 23, wherein said means for guiding comprises atleast one ramped surface provided on at least one of the at least onelower foot and a portion of the elongate channel defining the proximalchannel opening.